Giulio Ciccone’s masterclass seals 2025 Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa
The Italian claimed the biggest one-day victory of his career with a stunning ride in San Sebastian.
Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) soloed to victory in the 44th edition of the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa.
It was a faultless performance from the 30-year-old Italian, who proved to be the strongest on the day, making his race-winning move on the Murgil Tontorra climb inside the final 10km.
Primož Roglič (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) started the action on the Erlaitz climb with around 45km remaining, but it was Ciccone and Isaac Del Toro who proved to be the strongest and rode clear as the race split into pieces.
On the final climb, Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) jumped across to his teammate Del Toro and Ciccone before attempting to attack over the top of the Italian. However, Ciccone responded well and was able to launch a counter move of his own, and crucially distance the duo, with Del Toro fading.
This victory marks Ciccone’s second of 2025, twelfth of his career, and the first WorldTour-level Classic in his collection.
Christen finished in 2nd at 9 seconds, whilst Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) rounded out the podium in 3rd, winning a small group sprint 19 seconds behind Ciccone.
With this being his first race since crashing out of the Giro d'Italia in May, Ciccone reflected his surprise at the finish.
"I never expected to win today, because I haven't raced in two months," said Ciccone. "The legs felt good, and I kept pushing. It was hard to follow Del Toro, but I knew I had to try. To win here is truly beautiful," he added.
How it unfolded
A 12-man breakaway formed, featuring Julen Arriola-Bengoa (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Josh Burnett (Burgos BH), Anthony Delaplace (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Paul Double (Jayco AlUla), Alexy Faure Prost (Intermarché-Wanty), Gil Gelders (Soudal-QuickStep), Jordan Labrosse (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Enzo Leijnse (Picnic PostNL), Gotzon Martín (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Ben Swift (Ineos Grenadiers), Darren Van Bekkum (XDS Astana), and Mats Wenzel (Equipo Kern Pharma).
On the Alto de Jaizkibel, with just over 60 km remaining, the breakaway fragmented, and Labrosse surged ahead. Wenzel and Double trailed, soon joined by Double’s teammate Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla), who attacked from the shrinking peloton. Wenzel and Plapp caught Labrosse before the Erlaitz climb.
On the lower slopes of the Erlaitz, Primož Roglič (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) attacked, followed by former junior cyclocross world champions Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Léo Bisiaux (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), before Plapp dropped Wenzel and Labrosse.
With 44 km to go, Christen made a move, joined by Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek). Ciccone countered but couldn’t stay clear.
Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) bridged to the front trio, with Roglič following at his own pace. Near the summit, del Toro accelerated, and only Ciccone could follow.
Over the summit, Ciccone initially hesitated to cooperate but relented under del Toro’s persuasion. Behind, a chase group formed with Bisiaux, Christen, Plapp, Roglič, Van Gils, Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana), Tiesj Benoot and Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma | Lease a Bike), and former winner Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost).
Approaching 30 km to go, Ciccone and Del Toro’s lead neared 50 seconds over the chasers, with a larger group 30 seconds further back.
With 17.5 km remaining, the duo held a lead just under a minute. On the final climb, they continued working together, but Roglič’s accelerations reduced the gap as the steep section began.
Christen launched a fierce attack on the steep ramps, bridging to Del Toro and Ciccone. He surged past, with Ciccone following, while Del Toro was distanced. Ciccone then countered Christen and went clear, seemingly the strongest on the day.
On the descent, the gap between Ciccone and Christen stayed under 10 seconds, setting up a tense final 3 km in San Sebastian. Christen closed in, but Ciccone held on to win, celebrating as he crossed the line.
In the reduced group sprint, Van Gils edged out Benoot for third, with del Toro finishing fifth.
