Ion Izagirre
Born on 4 February 1989 in Ormaiztegi, in the heart of the Spanish Basque Country, Ion Izagirre is one of the most durable and versatile riders of his generation. A puncheur-climber with a fine time trial and a knack for reading a hard finale, he has built a career on aggressive, opportunistic racing. He has won stages at all three Grand Tours, taken two Tour de France stage victories, and lifted the overall title at the 2015 Tour de Pologne. Now riding out his final professional season with Cofidis in 2026, the veteran Basque remains a respected animator of the world's biggest races. Find Ion Izagirre's latest results, stats and race calendar on this page.
Biography of pro cyclist Ion Izagirre
Ion Izagirre Insausti has spent close to two decades at the top of the sport, racing for some of cycling's most storied teams while never losing the attacking instinct that made his name. He is the kind of rider every team values: dependable in the mountains, dangerous on a punchy finish, and capable of winning from a breakaway on the biggest stage of all.
His longevity is part of the story. Still competitive in his late thirties, Izagirre has remained a genuine contender in one-week stage races and a stage hunter at the Grand Tours, earning the affection of fans across his native Basque Country and beyond.
Early life and rise in the Basque Country
Izagirre was born into a cycling family. His father José Ramón raced professionally, and his older brother Gorka has also enjoyed a long WorldTour career, the pair often racing together. Raised in Gipuzkoa, a region with a deep cycling culture, Ion turned professional with Orbea before stepping up through the Basque institution Euskaltel-Euskadi, where his talent for climbing and time trialling quickly became clear.
From there he joined Movistar, then Bahrain and Astana, before signing with Cofidis in 2022. Across those teams he refined into a complete rider, equally at home setting a tempo in the high mountains and launching late attacks on hilly finishes.
Grand Tour stage wins and one-day victories
Izagirre's palmarès spans all three Grand Tours. He took a stage at the 2012 Giro d'Italia early in his career, then announced himself fully with a memorable solo victory on a rain-soaked, descent-heavy stage of the 2016 Tour de France. He added a second Tour stage in 2023 with another long-range solo, this time in the team colours of Cofidis.
Beyond the Grand Tours, he claimed overall victory at the 2015 Tour de Pologne and is a multiple winner of the Gran Premio Miguel Induráin, the punchy Basque one-day race that suits him perfectly, including a victory in 2026 in his farewell season. He has also represented Spain at the Olympic Games and World Championships, underlining his standing as a national mainstay.
Rider profile: strengths, style, and characteristics
Izagirre is a versatile all-rounder. He climbs well, time trials well, and descends with real skill and bravery, a combination that makes him especially dangerous on hard, technical days. Tactically astute, he excels at picking the right breakaway and timing a late move. He is rarely the outright favourite, but he is often the rider others must watch.
Personal life
Cycling runs through the Izagirre family. Ion's father and his brother Gorka have both raced professionally, and the brothers have shared teams and Grand Tour campaigns over the years. Proud of his Basque roots, Izagirre has long been a popular figure with the passionate cycling fans of the region.
Records and milestones
- Two Tour de France stage wins (2016 and 2023)
- Stage win at the 2012 Giro d'Italia
- Stage winner at the Vuelta a España
- Overall winner, 2015 Tour de Pologne
- Multiple winner of the Gran Premio Miguel Induráin (including 2026)
- Long Grand Tour and one-week stage-race career across Euskaltel, Movistar, Bahrain, Astana and Cofidis
What's next for Ion Izagirre?
With 2026 set as his final professional season, Izagirre is chasing one last special result, with the Tour de France firmly in his sights as he aims to add to his tally of stage wins. Whatever the outcome, he closes a career defined by consistency, courage and the attacking spirit beloved in Basque cycling.
