The race

Following in the footsteps of the legendary Luchon-Bayonne race organised by Aviron Bayonnais, BAZTAN Bayonne-Pamplona is paving the way in 2026 for a unique road cycling event combining performance, conviviality and the discovery of legendary valleys and landscapes, far from the overcrowded coastline.

Crossing borders and linking the northern and southern Basque Country, it revives the legendary, rugged and wild Baztan route, a historic path to Compostela and the epic setting for a cycling race organised by Aviron Bayonnais between 1988 and 2016.

Feel the breath of the Basajaun caress your calves as you round a hairpin bend on the long and demanding Artesiaga Pass. Discover the authentic, wild and often overlooked Basque Country as you tackle the short but explosive Sorogain Pass. Finally, tackle the Erro Pass under the gaze of the Basajaun, before enjoying the long, gentle descent that takes you to Pamplona.

* The Basajaun, a legendary figure in Basque culture and the Baztan Valley, is the protector of shepherds and flocks. He is also a central character in the Baztan trilogy, a series of crime novels by Dolores Redondo that revisit this unique myth.

Building on the success of emblematic events such as the Luchon-Bayonne and the Course du Bout de l’An, and under the impetus of its president Laurent Irazusta, the Aviron Bayonnais is marking the return of a legendary cross-border race between Bayonne and Pamplona. The ambition is clear: to establish a benchmark international cyclosportive on the road.

To achieve this, the organisation draws on the expertise of a motivated team and benefits from the expert contribution of the cycling and cycle touring sections of Aviron Bayonnais, led by Jean-Michel Condé and Jean-Bernard Etchegoyen respectively.

No need to choose between competition and camaraderie: you can have both.
Whether you opt for Baztan Real or Baztan Ona, your overall ranking is based solely on the times recorded on the main climbs (Real: 5 timed climbs, Ona: 2 timed climbs), with a KOM ranking on all climbs if you cross the finish line.

At the same time, enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the inland Basque Country at your own pace, without stress at the start (one-hour free slot) or on the descents (neutralised), riding at your own pace.

Already focused on sourcing local skills and resources, mainly based in the Basque Country, the BAZTAN organisation will highlight the importance of preserving watersheds and water quality in both the northern and southern Basque Country. This action will be complemented by a societal approach. The CSR programmes will be unveiled in early 2026.