Tour de France and Giro d'Italia stage winner Pello Bilbao announces retirement at end of 2026

Pello Bilbao, the seasoned Basque cyclist and multiple Grand Tour stage winner, has announced he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. The 36-year-old made the revelation on home soil just before the final stage of the Itzulia Basque Country race. Having turned professional in 2011 with Euskaltel-Euskadi, Bilbao has enjoyed a distinguished 16-year career, securing 17 victories including two Giro d’Italia stages and a Tour de France stage win in 2023. Bilbao’s career highlights extend beyond stage wins, with notable overall finishes such as twice placing fifth in the Giro d’Italia and achieving sixth and ninth in the Tour de France general classifications. His successes also include stage victories in prestigious races like the Itzulia Basque Country, Criterium du Dauphiné, and Tour Down Under. Throughout his career, Bilbao has credited his upbringing in the Basque Country—a region renowned for its cycling culture—as a fundamental influence on his development and resilience as a professional rider. Reflecting on his journey, Bilbao described his early years in cycling as playful and almost accidental, emphasising how quickly he adapted to the professional ranks despite initial challenges balancing sport and studies. He spoke candidly about the emotional intensity of his career, particularly recalling the mixed feelings surrounding his 2023 Tour de France stage victory, which he dedicated to his late teammate Gino Mäder. Bilbao also highlighted the camaraderie and shared experiences with teammates, notably his collaboration with Damiano Caruso during the Giro d’Italia, as some of the most meaningful aspects of his career. Looking ahead to his final seasons, Bilbao acknowledged the heightened pressure and emotional weight of competing with the knowledge that his retirement is imminent. He expressed a determination to give his utmost in every race, appreciating the significance of each moment on the road. As he prepares to close the chapter on a remarkable professional tenure, Bilbao’s announcement marks the end of an era for one of Basque cycling’s most consistent and respected figures.