Joao Almeida wins Tour of the Basque Country with dominant stage six sprint

Almeida seals overall victory after outpacing Enric Mas in thrilling final sprint finish in Eibar.

Joao Almeida of Portugal celebrates at the finish line after winning Stage 6 of the 64th Itzulia Basque Country 2025, a 153.4km route from Eibar to Eibar, on April 12, 2025, in Eibar, Spain. Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Joao Almeida wins Tour of the Basque Country with a commanding performance in the final stage, capping off a brilliant week for the UAE Team Emirates rider. After fending off fierce competition from Enric Mas and Max Schachmann, Almeida delivered a calculated sprint in the last few hundred meters in Eibar, proving once again why he is one of the most promising stage racers in the world.

Almeida began the day with a solid 30-second lead over his closest rivals in the general classification. But the Portuguese star knew he had to finish strong in the sixth and final stage, which spanned 153.6 brutal kilometers with eight categorised climbs through the challenging terrain of the Basque region. Under grey skies and constant pressure from his competitors, he not only held his lead but extended it with a stage win.

“It was incredible to win that last stage, my team worked so hard for me,” Almeida said post-race. “It was a very good race for me in every way. We played all our cards and we played them well. To be able to win like this was the perfect way to finish what's been a great race for me, so I'm really, really happy.”

Mas surges but Almeida controls the finale

While Almeida was focused on protecting his lead, the peloton was full of riders looking to shake up the standings. One of the most aggressive was Movistar’s Enric Mas. The Spanish climber made a bold move in the final kilometers, trying to distance Almeida and stage five winner Ben Healy. Mas and Almeida worked their way past Healy on the final ascent before dueling it out for stage honors.

Mas appeared to have the advantage at one point, riding strongly and opening a small gap. But Almeida stuck to his wheel and, with 400 meters left, surged past Mas in a powerful sprint. The effort not only won him the stage but also ensured that he remained untouchable at the top of the general classification.

Mas moved up seven places overall thanks to his aggressive performance, finishing just 1 minute and 52 seconds behind Almeida in the final standings. That was enough to edge out Germany’s Max Schachmann by seven seconds, pushing the Soudal–Quick-Step rider into third.

Crash derails Skjelmose's challenge

One of the biggest turning points in the final stage came when Mattias Skjelmose, who started the day as Almeida’s closest GC rival, crashed on a treacherous descent. The Danish rider was unable to recover from the fall and dropped out of contention, effectively handing Almeida a clearer path to the title.

The slippery Basque roads had already been a factor earlier in the race, and on the final day, they once again played a role in shaping the overall results. Skjelmose’s crash served as a reminder of the risks riders face, especially when pushing limits in pursuit of time gains.

Healy shows promise with attacking style

Ben Healy, who had thrilled fans with his solo victory in stage five, tried once again to break away from the peloton on stage six. The Irish rider attacked early and rode solo for a significant stretch of the stage, displaying the same aggressive style that brought him success the day before.

However, Healy’s legs could not match the pace of Almeida and Mas in the final climbs. The duo caught and passed him in the closing kilometers, leaving Healy to finish just outside the podium places. Still, his performances over the final two stages mark him as one to watch in the coming races.

UAE Team Emirates in control from start to finish

Almeida’s victory was also a testament to the teamwork and strategy of UAE Team Emirates. The squad managed the race expertly throughout the week, protecting Almeida during key moments and setting him up for the stage win when it mattered most. Their dominance in the final stage was the culmination of days of careful planning and strong riding.

From early climbs to final sprints, the team never looked out of sync. Their cohesion and commitment to Almeida’s GC ambitions ensured that no threat went unchecked. Even when rivals tried to shake things up, the UAE squad stayed calm and controlled the tempo.

Tour of the Basque Country ends with drama and promise

The 2025 edition of the Tour of the Basque Country delivered a mix of drama, determination, and displays of raw power. With Joao Almeida winning the Tour of the Basque Country, fans witnessed a rider coming into his own, backed by a team that believes in his potential.

Enric Mas’s late charge proved that the Spaniard is returning to form after an inconsistent start to the season. Max Schachmann, meanwhile, showed flashes of his previous brilliance and will be a GC contender as the season progresses.

Mattias Skjelmose may have lost his shot due to the crash, but his performances before that incident confirmed that he’s among the top young riders in the sport. Likewise, Ben Healy’s two-day attacking masterclass will be remembered as one of the standout sequences in this year’s race.

The final podium—Almeida, Mas, and Schachmann—reflected a hard-fought battle across six grueling days of racing. With climbs, rain, crashes, and comebacks, the Tour of the Basque Country once again lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest and most unpredictable races on the calendar.

Almeida sets sights on the Grand Tours

Joao Almeida's triumph in the Basque Country adds another milestone to his growing palmarès. The Portuguese rider has long been considered a potential Grand Tour winner, and this week’s performance will only strengthen that belief.

With the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España on the horizon, Almeida will likely lead UAE Team Emirates in at least one of those races. If he can maintain his current form and avoid misfortune, he could find himself on the top step of a Grand Tour podium later this year.

For now, though, Joao Almeida wins Tour of the Basque Country—and does it in style. His victory in Eibar was not just a display of strength but also of racecraft, patience, and the ability to seize the moment. It was a performance that marked him out as a rider ready to win even more in the months to come.