The 135.7 kilometres final stage from Eibar to Arrate saw riders faced with seven climbs, with Evenepoel seeking to preserve a slender two second advantage over Martinez.

Defending champion Primož Roglič was the first of the general classification contenders to attack on the stage, with the Slovenian beginning the stage over one minute off the lead.

He was followed by Martinez, Enric Mas and Pello Bilbao of Spain, as well as Aleksandr Vlasov - who is competing neutrally due to sanctions on Russia due to war in Ukraine.

Bilbao split the leading group with an attack on a descent of Izua, with Mas crashing and Martinez unable to retain contact.

Bilbao was able to take the virtual race lead, with the Spaniard working alongside his compatriot Ion Izagirre, who had been able to bridge across to the leading group.

Martinez and Evenepoel successfully closed the gap prior to the final climb of the stage to set up a dramatic conclusion.

The climb ended Evenepoel’s hopes of victory with the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team rider distanced with five kilometres remaining.

Izagirre was able to recover from a crash inside the last four kilometres to rejoin the lead group, before sprinting to the stage victory.

The Basque rider crossed the line in a winning time of 3 hours, 47min, 7sec.

Vlasov and Spain’s Marc Soler completed the top-three, with Martinez crossing in fourth place on the same time as the winner.

The result was enough for the Ineos-Grenadiers rider to secure the general classification.

Martinez finished 11 seconds clear of stage winner Izagirre, who won the stage race back in 2019.

Vlasov ended third overall at 16 seconds down, followed by overnight leader Evenepoel at 21 seconds back.