Natnael Tesfatsion wins the Circuito de Getxo with an uphill sprint

Natnael Tesfatsion (Movistar Team) claimed the 81st edition of the Circuito de Getxo – Memorial Hermanos Otxoa, a one-day classic held on Sunday over a hilly 172.2 km course starting in Bilbao and finishing on the Getxo circuits. The 27-year-old Eritrean won in 3:58:49, prevailing in an uphill sprint from the reduced group that emerged from the day's final climb.The raceThe race was enlivened by a breakaway that went clear in the first 25 km with ten riders. On the final climbs, including the Alto Pike (2 km at 9.4%), the group was whittled down, and Tesfatsion, initially dropped on the hard climb, managed to get back on thanks to the work with Bahrain Victorious. "I know this race well. I was dropped on the hard climb, but we managed to get back on with other riders. I'm surprised to have won," said the winner."I knew the finish suited me. We worked with Bahrain to get back on, with Pello Bilbao, and we caught the leading group... I had the legs. I launched my sprint 200 metres from the finish, gave everything and managed to win," added Tesfatsion after his second victory of 2026.Final classification1. Natnael Tesfatsion (Movistar Team) – 3:58:492. Pau Miquel Delgado (Bahrain Victorious) – s.t.3. Alex Aranburu Deva (Cofidis) – s.t.4. Marcel Camprubi Pijuan (Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) – s.t.5. Ludovico Crescioli (Team Polti VisitMalta) – s.t.The reduced group arrived together at the finish, with Tesfatsion launching the decisive move 200 metres from the line to seal a prestigious victory in the Basque classic.