Itzulia Basque Country got off to an exciting start as Felix Großschartner delivered a standout performance in the stage 1 individual time trial, finishing third for UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
The experienced Austrian rider clocked a time of 17 minutes and 36 seconds over the 13.8km course, ending just 27 seconds behind stage winner Paul Seixas of Decathlon CMA CGM. Großschartner’s effort briefly placed him in second before he was later edged by Kévin Vauquelin.
Strong Start Builds GC Momentum
Known for his time trial strength, Großschartner showed excellent form from the outset. He attacked the opening climb with power, maintained a steady rhythm through the mid-section, and finished strongly on the technical closing stretch.
His performance positions him firmly among the early general classification contenders as the race progresses into more demanding terrain.
Solid Team Performance by UAE Riders
UAE Team Emirates-XRG also saw encouraging results from the rest of its lineup. Brandon McNulty secured eighth place, finishing 43 seconds behind the stage winner with another consistent time trial display.
Meanwhile, Isaac del Toro, who is leading the team’s GC ambitions, placed 13th. The young Mexican rider is expected to come into his own in the mountainous stages later in the week.
Race Set to Intensify
With several challenging mountain stages ahead, the competition at Itzulia Basque Country is expected to intensify. Riders will now shift focus to climbing battles that are likely to play a decisive role in shaping the overall standings before Saturday’s finale.
Großschartner expressed satisfaction with his ride, highlighting strong power output despite windy conditions—an encouraging sign as the race moves forward.
