Ion Izagirre, Alex Aranburu and Xabier Mikel Azparren are the only Basque riders in the 2026 Tour de France, which kicks off this Saturday in Barcelona with a team time trial.
The 2026 Tour de France, which starts this Saturday in Barcelona with a team time trial, will feature only three cyclists of Basque origin. Ion Izagirre, Alex Aranburu, and Xabier Mikel Azparren are the sole representatives from a region that in other times filled the race with riders.
A Trio with Very Different Roles
Ion Izagirre, from Ormaiztegi, is facing his twelfth and final participation in the Grande Boucle. At 37 years old, the veteran Cofidis rider has won two stages in the French tour (2017 and 2023) and is looking for a grand farewell. "I want to be a protagonist in the breakaways and, if possible, raise my arms again," he stated in an interview.
Alex Aranburu, also with Cofidis, arrives in great form after winning the Itzulia and a stage of the Tour of Belgium. The rider from Ormaiztegi is known for his sprinting speed in demanding finishes, making him a candidate for breakaways that reach the finish line.
Xabier Mikel Azparren, a 27-year-old from San Sebastián, is making his debut in the Tour. After finishing second in the time trial at the Spanish Championship and tenth in the road race, the Q36.5 rider will have the mission of protecting leader Tom Pidcock on the flat and being a pillar in this Saturday's team time trial.
The Basque Cycling Diaspora in the French Tour
The Basque presence in the Tour has dwindled in recent years. In 2026, there are only three, compared to six in 2024 (Castroviejo, Pello Bilbao, Landa, Ion Izagirre, Aranburu, and Lazkano) or nine in 2020. During its golden era, between 2014 and 2017, up to nine Basque riders lined up at the start.
For fans in Mallorca, the news may seem distant, but cycling is a global sport. Many followers from the island will watch the Tour on television and see these three riders fighting in breakaways. Additionally, the team time trial this Saturday in Barcelona marks the start of an edition that promises strong emotions.
Ion Izagirre has shared training and accommodation in Sierra Nevada with Aranburu. Both agree that the goal is to "open the door to hope through breakaways." For Azparren, the priority is to learn and help his team. "I am very excited. It’s a dream to debut in the Tour," declared the San Sebastián native.
The 2026 Tour will traverse France for three weeks, culminating in Paris. The Basque participation is symbolic, but the three riders have the means to leave their mark.
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