DANISH DOMINANCE AND GIRONA GRAVEL MAGIC: SANTA VALL DELIVERS A WORLD-CLASS WEEKEND
The Gravel Earth Series rolled into the hills of Sant Gregori, just outside Girona, for its second stop of the 2025 season — and what a weekend it was. On February 15 and 16, Santa Vall brought together over 500 riders from around the globe to take on one of the most eagerly awaited events on the calendar. Two demanding stages, a stacked international field, and an electric atmosphere confirmed once again why Girona is considered the world capital of gravel.
From the get-go, the tone was set: fierce racing, perfect conditions, and a course that offered everything — fast open sections, punchy climbs, technical descents, and endless Mediterranean forest trails. And at the end of it all, two Danish riders stood on top of the podium after a weekend of total dominance.
Danish Perfection: Langvad and Klaris Reign Supreme
It was a masterclass from Annika Langvad and Magnus Bak Klaris, who each won both stages in their respective categories. Langvad, already a legend in the off-road scene, claimed Saturday’s 80-kilometer stage in a hard-fought sprint ahead of Dutch rider Geerike Schreurs and Germany’s Rosa Klöser. On Sunday’s queen stage — 114 kilometers and 1,600 meters of climbing — she broke away solo, sealing a well-deserved overall victory.
In the men’s race, Klaris proved untouchable. He attacked early and rode solo to victory both days, stamping his authority as one of the key contenders for the overall Gravel Earth Series title. Behind him, the fight for the podium was fierce. Czech powerhouse Petr Vakoč surged on Sunday to take second overall, while Germany’s Paul Voss held onto third by the slimmest of margins. Just one second separated Alexander Miller (NAM) from a podium place, while German rider Tim Wollenberg was only nine seconds off in fifth.
Global Gravel, Local Magic
The women’s top ten was a true display of global talent. Alongside Langvad, Schreurs and Klöser, the list featured strong performances from riders like Morgan Aguirre (USA), Axelle Dubau-Prévôt (FRA), Nicole Frain (AUS), Heidi Franz (USA), Karolina Migoń (POL), Cassia Boglio (AUS), and Emily Newsom (USA). Every corner of the globe was represented, highlighting the reach and diversity of the Gravel Earth Series.
Among the men, the top ten also included elite names such as Lukas Malezsewski (BEL), Luca Dreßler (GER), Andreas Seewald (GER), Luis León Sánchez (ESP), and Skyler Taylor (USA). With so much depth in talent, every second mattered — and every rider had to fight to the very end.
Girona Shines Again
Organised by Klassmark, Santa Vall delivered a weekend that captured everything the Gravel Earth Series stands for: challenge, community, and authenticity. With its single distance format, the race levels the playing field and ensures the highest level of competition, bringing amateurs and pros together on the same start line. The setting — with Girona as a global cycling hub — adds a special flavour that few places in the world can match.
What’s Next?
With the second event of the season completed, the Gravel Earth Series now looks ahead to its next challenge. There are still 23 events left worldwide, where the best cyclists will continue to battle intensely in pursuit of ultimate glory. The circuit landed in Asia for the first time with the opener in the Philippines, and now, after tackling the fast and technical terrain of Catalonia, it’s time to cross the Atlantic.
Next stop: Giro Pio, Costa Rica.
A new country, new terrain, and new stories waiting to be written.
This year, the number of events in Europe and the Americas has been carefully balanced to create a fairer and more diverse competition structure for riders across the globe. Santa Vall gathered many of these top names, setting the tone for what’s to come. The 2025 season is just getting started — and it’s already on fire.
