Mischa Bredewold Conquers Itzulia Women with Historic Daring Descent
In a moment that will define her cycling legacy, Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime) has etched her name into Itzulia Women history with a victory as dramatic as it was hard-won. After four years of heartbreak—each time leading the general classification into the final stage only to watch rivals claim the crown—Bredewold delivered the performance of a lifetime. With a 30-second deficit on the summit of Mendizorrotz, she unleashed a descent so audacious it left teammates and rivals alike in stunned silence. The result? A 21-second overall victory, her first stage race win, and a statement that cements her as one of the sport’s most resilient competitors.
The Descent That Redefined Itzulia
The final stage of Itzulia Women is not for the faint-hearted. The 11.7km climb of Mendizorrotz, with its treacherous gradients and technical corners, has broken more careers than it has built. Bredewold, however, knew this terrain intimately. She had ridden it four times in the past four years—twice finishing as runner-up, twice watching the lead slip away on the highly slopes that would decide her fate.
This year, she arrived with a plan. “Last year, I overpaced myself on the climb in the beginning,” she admitted in a post-race interview. “I knew that was my biggest enemy today.” The strategy was simple: conserve energy on the ascent, then unleash hell on the descent.
“I saw them riding ahead and then I had just one goal: catch them. I went so deep, I’ve never experienced that in my life. I almost fainted after the finish. But we made it.”
With 10km remaining, Bredewold was 30 seconds adrift. The gap seemed insurmountable. But as the road dipped into the descent, she made her move. “She threw herself down the descent,” recalled directeur sportif Christian Kos. “I had faith in her descending skills. She made the most of her time trial abilities on the flat.”
By the time she rejoined the lead group—just 300 meters from the finish in San Sebastián—Bredewold had turned a deficit into a sprint for survival. She finished sixth on the stage, but the damage was done: her overall lead was secure.
Stage 3 Results: A Sprint for the Ages
| Position | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dominika Włodarczyk | UAE Team ADQ | 3:42:15 |
| 2 | Évita Muzic | FDJ United-Suez | +0:00 |
| 3 | Lauren Dickson | FDJ United-Suez | +0:00 |
| 6 | Mischa Bredewold | SD Worx-Protime | +0:00 |
The stage was won by Włodarczyk in a chaotic ten-rider sprint, but the real story was the general classification. Bredewold’s 21-second margin over Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Dickson (also FDJ United-Suez) marked the first time in her career she had claimed an overall victory in a WorldTour stage race.
From Heartbreak to Triumph: Bredewold’s Four-Year Odyssey
Bredewold’s path to this victory was paved with near-misses. In 2023, she finished third overall. In 2024 and 2025, she led the race into the final stage—only to lose the yellow jersey by seconds. Each time, the narrative was the same: she was the rider who got away.
This year, everything changed. The turning point came on Friday, when she won the opening stage in a five-woman sprint into Zarautz. Seven seconds clear of Kastelijn, she extended her lead on Saturday with a runner-up finish behind Włodarczyk in Amorebieta-Etxano. But the real test was always the final stage.
“She stuck to her own pace and could still see the front group riding in the distance,” Kos said. “We are proud of her performance.” The directeur sportif’s words captured the essence of Bredewold’s approach: calculated risk-taking, unwavering belief, and the ability to push beyond physical limits.
Why This Win Matters
Bredewold’s victory is more than a personal triumph—it’s a milestone for women’s cycling. As the first overall winner of Itzulia Women, she joins an elite group of riders who have dominated the race’s history. Her win also comes on the heels of her 2025 Amstel Gold Race victory, proving her versatility across different terrains and race formats.
For SD Worx-Protime, this victory is a statement of intent. After years of near-misses, the team has finally broken through in a race that has eluded them. And for Bredewold, it’s the beginning of what could be a dominant phase in her career.
“What it means to me to be allowed to wear the ‘Chapella’ of the winner? It makes me emotional. The support of the team was incredible. They believed I could pull it off today and that’s why I believed in it myself.”
Key Takeaways: Bredewold’s Victory Explained
- Q: How did Bredewold overcome her 30-second deficit?
- A: She executed a fearless descent on the technical slopes of Mendizorrotz, rejoining the lead group just 300 meters from the finish. Her time-trial skills on the flat section sealed her comeback.
- Q: Why did Bredewold lose in previous years?
- A: In 2024 and 2025, she overpaced herself on the final climb, blowing up before the decisive descent. This year, she conserved energy and targeted the descent as her weapon.
- Q: Who won the final stage?
- A: Dominika Włodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) won the stage in a sprint, while Bredewold finished sixth but secured the overall victory.
- Q: What is the ‘Chapella’?
- A: The txapela (or Chapella) is the iconic Basque beret worn by the race winner, a symbol of victory in Itzulia Women.
- Q: How does this win compare to her Amstel Gold Race victory?
- A: Both wins showcase Bredewold’s adaptability—Amstel Gold required explosive sprinting and cobbled climbs, while Itzulia demanded tactical patience and descending mastery. Each victory highlights a different facet of her racing IQ.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Bredewold?
With this victory, Bredewold enters a new chapter. The question now is whether she can replicate this form in other races. The 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Glasgow loom large, and her team will be eyeing a podium finish in the women’s road race.
For now, Bredewold is savoring the moment. “I’m over the moon with this win,” she said. “But we’re not stopping here. This is just the beginning.”
Related reading