Description
August 2, 2026
81st Circuito de Getxo – Memorial Hermanos Otxoa 2026 🇪🇸 (1.1) ME – Bilbao – Getxo : 172,2 km
Circuito de Getxo is a UCI 1.1 classification one-day event that unfolds along the rugged and scenic coastline of the Basque Country,
Show more...
August 2, 2026
81st Circuito de Getxo – Memorial Hermanos Otxoa 2026 🇪🇸 (1.1) ME – Bilbao – Getxo : 172,2 km
Circuito de Getxo is a UCI 1.1 classification one-day event that unfolds along the rugged and scenic coastline of the Basque Country, where the parcours is defined by its short, punchy climbs, technical descents, and fast, winding roads that cut through the green hills and urban outskirts of Getxo. The terrain is a mix of smooth asphalt and narrower, more technical sections, with climbs featuring gradients of 6–10% on irregular, often steep ramps that test both power and agility. The race typically includes multiple ascents of the Alto de Las Muñecas, a short but demanding climb with a sharp kick near the summit, as well as fast, twisting descents that demand precise bike handling. The roads are frequently exposed to the Atlantic winds, which can gust unpredictably, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the race.
The race dynamics are shaped by the relentless succession of climbs and descents, with attacks launching on the steepest sections or during the technical descents, where gaps can open in an instant. The peloton rarely has time to regroup, as the short, sharp climbs force repeated accelerations that thin the field and favor riders with explosive power and tactical awareness. The wind plays a significant role, particularly on the exposed coastal sections, where crosswinds can split the field into smaller groups, while the narrow roads limit opportunities for recovery. The finish is typically contested in a reduced bunch sprint on a slightly uphill drag, though late breaks or solo moves can succeed if the peloton fails to organize an effective chase. The Circuito de Getxo is a race of attrition and speed, where the combination of steep climbs, technical descents, and unpredictable weather creates a thrilling and unpredictable spectacle.
Natnael Tesfatsion (Movistar) secured the victory at the one-day Circuito de Getxo-Memorial Hermanos Otxoa on Sunday. The Eritrean rider took the victory in an uphill sprint among a selection that emerged over the final climb of the race into Getxo.
Tesfatsion crossed the line with the win after chasing back to the lead following being distanced on the climb. The 27-year-old finished ahead of Pau Miquel (Bahrain-Victorious) and Alex Aranburu (Cofidis).
“I know this race well. I was dropped on the hard climb, but we managed to get back with some other riders. I’m surprised I won the race,” Tesfatsion said after the race.
“I knew the finish suited me. We worked with Bahrain to get back, with Pello Bilbao, and we caught the front group…I had the legs. I went with 200 metres to go, gave everything and managed to win,” he added after taking his second win of 2026.
The 81st Circuito de Getxo-Memorial Hermanos Otxoa offered a 172.2km hilly circuit race starting from Bilbao and finishing with circuits around Getxo. The first four laps included a category 3 climb over Alto Akarlanda (4.5km at 2%), followed by two final circuits that included the category 2 climb over Alto Pike (2km at 9.4%), followed by a flat run-in to the finish line.
The breakaway that emerged in the first 25km and included ten riders; Paul Ourselin (Cofidis), Jonathan Lastra and Iker Mintegi (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Fabien Grellier (TotalEnergies), Nickolas Zukowsky (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling), Alex Díaz (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Mattia Bais (Team Polti VisitMalta), Rodrigo Álvarez (Burgos Burpellet BH), Nícolas Sessler (Victoria Sports Pro Cycling) and Ferran Miravalles (Meridian Racing p/b de la Uz).
The large group held nearly two minutes as the race approached the final two circuits, as Lidl-Trek and UAE Team Emirates-XRG led the pace at the front of the main peloton.
On the first climb of the Alto Pike, the breakaway split apart, and with 44km to go, Bais attacked and was the only rider left out front from the original group as Bahrain-Victorious and Lidl-Trek set a blistering chase behind.
Bais was joined by his Team Polti VisitMalta teammate Javier Serrano, along with Edoardo Zamperini (Cofidis) and Adam Lewis (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery).
The race came back together on the last trip up Alto Pike, which made way for a 25-rider selection to emerge over the top. Kevin Vermaerke (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) was in that group in the final seven kilometres, but the race came down to an uphill sprint among that front group, with Tesfatsion taking the win after launching early and holding off his rivals.
Results :
 ME </strong> - Bilbao - Getxo : 172,2 km
<!--more-->
Circuito de Getxo is a UCI 1.1 classification one-day event that unfolds along the rugged and scenic coastline of the Basque Country, where the parcours is defined by its short, punchy climbs, technical descents, and fast, winding roads that cut through the green hills and urban outskirts of Getxo. The terrain is a mix of smooth asphalt and narrower, more technical sections, with climbs featuring gradients of 6–10% on irregular, often steep ramps that test both power and agility. The race typically includes multiple ascents of the Alto de Las Muñecas, a short but demanding climb with a sharp kick near the summit, as well as fast, twisting descents that demand precise bike handling. The roads are frequently exposed to the Atlantic winds, which can gust unpredictably, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the race.
The race dynamics are shaped by the relentless succession of climbs and descents, with attacks launching on the steepest sections or during the technical descents, where gaps can open in an instant. The peloton rarely has time to regroup, as the short, sharp climbs force repeated accelerations that thin the field and favor riders with explosive power and tactical awareness. The wind plays a significant role, particularly on the exposed coastal sections, where crosswinds can split the field into smaller groups, while the narrow roads limit opportunities for recovery. The finish is typically contested in a reduced bunch sprint on a slightly uphill drag, though late breaks or solo moves can succeed if the peloton fails to organize an effective chase. The Circuito de Getxo is a race of attrition and speed, where the combination of steep climbs, technical descents, and unpredictable weather creates a thrilling and unpredictable spectacle.
Natnael Tesfatsion (Movistar) secured the victory at the one-day Circuito de Getxo-Memorial Hermanos Otxoa on Sunday. The Eritrean rider took the victory in an uphill sprint among a selection that emerged over the final climb of the race into Getxo.
Tesfatsion crossed the line with the win after chasing back to the lead following being distanced on the climb. The 27-year-old finished ahead of Pau Miquel (Bahrain-Victorious) and Alex Aranburu (Cofidis).
"I know this race well. I was dropped on the hard climb, but we managed to get back with some other riders. I’m surprised I won the race,” Tesfatsion said after the race.
"I knew the finish suited me. We worked with Bahrain to get back, with Pello Bilbao, and we caught the front group...I had the legs. I went with 200 metres to go, gave everything and managed to win," he added after taking his second win of 2026.
The 81st Circuito de Getxo-Memorial Hermanos Otxoa offered a 172.2km hilly circuit race starting from Bilbao and finishing with circuits around Getxo. The first four laps included a category 3 climb over Alto Akarlanda (4.5km at 2%), followed by two final circuits that included the category 2 climb over Alto Pike (2km at 9.4%), followed by a flat run-in to the finish line.
The breakaway that emerged in the first 25km and included ten riders; Paul Ourselin (Cofidis), Jonathan Lastra and Iker Mintegi (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Fabien Grellier (TotalEnergies), Nickolas Zukowsky (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling), Alex Díaz (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Mattia Bais (Team Polti VisitMalta), Rodrigo Álvarez (Burgos Burpellet BH), Nícolas Sessler (Victoria Sports Pro Cycling) and Ferran Miravalles (Meridian Racing p/b de la Uz).
The large group held nearly two minutes as the race approached the final two circuits, as Lidl-Trek and UAE Team Emirates-XRG led the pace at the front of the main peloton.
On the first climb of the Alto Pike, the breakaway split apart, and with 44km to go, Bais attacked and was the only rider left out front from the original group as Bahrain-Victorious and Lidl-Trek set a blistering chase behind.
Bais was joined by his Team Polti VisitMalta teammate Javier Serrano, along with Edoardo Zamperini (Cofidis) and Adam Lewis (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery).
The race came back together on the last trip up Alto Pike, which made way for a 25-rider selection to emerge over the top. Kevin Vermaerke (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) was in that group in the final seven kilometres, but the race came down to an uphill sprint among that front group, with Tesfatsion taking the win after launching early and holding off his rivals.
<strong>Results : </strong>
<iframe width="100%" height="730" scrolling="yes" frameborder="0" data-lazy-priority="low" data-lazy-src="https://firstcycling.com/widget/?r=202&y=2026&lang=ENG&cn=1" src="https://firstcycling.com/widget/?r=202&y=2026&lang=ENG&cn=1"></iframe>)
