As Holy Week drew to a close, Bilbao hosted a thrilling stage of the Itzulia, where Paul Seixas emerged as the standout performer. The young Frenchman completed the 13.9-kilometer course in an astonishing 17:09, setting a benchmark that proved almost insurmountable for his competitors. The day's oppressive heat, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, added an extra layer of difficulty to the race, but Seixas executed a flawless strategy.

The cyclist chose to start in the first wave, anticipating a potential worsening of wind conditions. This decision was crucial to his victory. While experienced riders like Ion Izagirre and Primoz Roglic also started early, Seixas's time remained unchallenged. Roglic, who excelled on a similar course in 2021, posted a time of 17:37, but Seixas shaved 28 seconds off that mark.

Kévin Vauquelin, Seixas's compatriot, secured second place 23 seconds behind, followed by Felix Grossschartner at 27 seconds. Some of the main favorites, such as Juan Ayuso and Isaac del Toro, fell significantly behind, with Ayuso trailing by 1:16 and Del Toro by 50 seconds. Mikel Landa, content with his performance, conceded 55 seconds. Seixas waved the victory flag at the finish line, located near the chimney of Etxebarria Park in Bilbao, after a truly prodigious display.