Itzulia Basque Country 2026 - Stage 1

The Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast delivers a detailed recap and analysis of Stage 1 of the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country, a 13.8km time trial in Bilbao. Paul Seishas dominates the stage with a commanding 23-second lead over Kevin Volkler, showcasing a near-perfect performance that has fans and analysts reevaluating his potential as a future Tour de France contender. The episode explores the implications of Seishas’ form, his high ceiling compared to Jonas Vingegaard, and the likely absence of a major GC challenge in the early stages. Despite Seishas’ dominance, the podcast debates whether the race is truly over, noting the potential for tactical moves by teams like UAE, Ineos, and Red Bull, especially given the aggressive profiles of upcoming stages. Ayuso’s poor TT performance raises concerns about his fitness, possibly linked to a crash in Paranese, while Del Toro’s underperformance on the TT bike highlights his developmental stage as a rider. The hosts express cautious optimism that the race remains competitive, particularly with the brutal climbs and tactical opportunities in the coming days.