Itzulia Basque Country: Alex Aranburu blasts ahead of Tobias Halland Johannessen on final uphill section for stage 4 win

Alex Aranburu of Movistar Team secured a hard-fought victory on Stage 4 of Itzulia Basque Country, out-sprinting Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) on the final uphill section. Christian Scaroni (Astana Qazaqstan) rounded out the podium, completing a frantic day that saw a strong breakaway contest the finish. This win marks a significant home soil triumph for the Spanish rider in a WorldTour event.

This victory is particularly sweet for Aranburu, a Basque native, and a much-needed morale boost for Movistar, who have endured a relatively quiet start to the season. While not a GC contender, Aranburu’s punchy characteristics are perfectly suited to the undulating terrain of Itzulia, a race where he previously took a stage win in 2021. For Johannessen, it's another close call, highlighting Uno-X's growing presence but also their continued hunt for that elusive top-tier WorldTour win.

Aranburu’s local knowledge and Movistar’s tactical nous paid dividends. Sometimes, a rider simply knows his roads better than anyone else, and today, that made all the difference.