Evenepoel seeks a historic record in the San Sebastián Classic 2026: schedules and how to watch

Just a week after finishing the best Tour de France of his career in second place in the general classification, Remco Evenepoel will be this Saturday at the 2026 San Sebastián Classic, where he will start as the big favorite to achieve a victory that would allow him to enter definitively into the history of the event.

Schedule and how to watch the 2026 San Sebastián Classic

The race will take place this Saturday, August 1, starting at 11:05 AM. The television broadcast will begin at 2:30 PM through HBO Max, where you can follow live the conclusion of one of the most spectacular classics on the WorldTour calendar.

• Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
• Route: Donostia-San Sebastián
• Distance: 221.1 km
• Elevation gain: Over 4,150 meters
• Start: 11:05 AM
• Expected finish: 4:45 PM (approx.)
• Decisive climb: Murgil Tontorra, 8.2 km from the finish
• Defending champion: Giulio Ciccone
• Top favorite: Remco Evenepoel
• Where to watch: HBO Max and Eurosport

Remco Evenepoel returns to San Sebastián to seek a historic record

The Belgian from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe faces the Basque classic with the opportunity to add his fourth victory in Donostia, a record that would make him the most decorated rider in the race, surpassing the three victories he currently shares with Marino Lejarreta.

The big event for climbers and stage racers

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The 45th edition of the Donostia Klasikoa will once again bring together some of the best specialists in the international peloton in one of the most demanding routes on the WorldTour one-day calendar. The event will feature 221.1 kilometers and over 4,150 meters of positive elevation gain, a profile designed to eliminate sprinters and favor long-range attacks.

As usual, the race will have two very distinct parts. The first will accumulate several climbs that will harden the pace, while the resolution will come in the last 80 kilometers with the succession of Jaizkibel, Erlaitz, and the explosive Murgil Tontorra, whose summit is just 8.2 kilometers from the finish located in Donostia.

Precisely these climbs have been decisive in Evenepoel's great successes. In 2019 he attacked before the last climb to finish solo; in 2022 he broke the race in Erlaitz with over 40 kilometers to go; and in 2023 he again demonstrated his superiority, winning after only having to resist the company of Pello Bilbao before defeating him in the sprint.

Evenepoel returns after signing the best Tour of his career

The big question will be to see how the Belgian has recovered after the enormous strain of the Tour de France, where only Tadej Pogačar was able to surpass him in the general classification. Even so, the toughness of the route and his track record make Evenepoel the main candidate for victory.

In addition, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe will present one of the strongest lineups in the race, with riders like Maxim Van Gils, Giulio Pellizzari, and Dani Martínez, a formation that offers multiple tactical alternatives but whose leadership will clearly fall on the Olympic champion.

Ciccone defends the 2025 victory

Although all eyes are on Evenepoel, the list of contenders is of high caliber. Giulio Ciccone returns to defend the victory achieved last year, while Ben Healy and Richard Carapaz will lead the options for EF Education-EasyPost after completing the Tour.

Also present will be Matteo Jorgenson and Ben Tulett with Visma-Lease a Bike, while UAE Team Emirates-XRG will rely on Jan Christen, second in the last edition, along with Jhonatan Narváez. Among the names to watch are also Marc Hirschi, winner in 2024, Mauro Schmid, Lennert Van Eetvelt, and David Gaudu.

The farewell of Pello Bilbao to his fans

One of the most emotional moments of the day will come with the participation of Pello Bilbao, who will race his last San Sebastián Classic before retiring at the end of the season.

The Basque rider has acknowledged that he is not arriving in his best shape after the Tour de France, as he continues to prepare for the Vuelta a España, but racing at home is a special motivation and he hopes to be a protagonist in front of his audience.