The 2026 Gravel Earth Series season kicked off in Sant Gregori, Girona, with the return of Santa Vall, a two-day gravel challenge that once again placed Catalonia at the heart of the global gravel scene. Across two demanding stages – 120 km and 1,600 m of elevation on Saturday followed by 85 km and 1,100 m on Sunday – more than 800 riders gathered to test themselves on the fast, rugged gravel roads that define the territory surrounding Girona.
Heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the event transformed the course into a true test of resilience. Mud, standing water and slippery tracks added a layer of unpredictability to an already demanding route, reminding riders that gravel racing is as much about adaptation as it is about strength.
As the opening round of an 11-event Gravel Earth Series calendar, Santa Vall once again attracted some of the strongest names in international gravel racing, setting the tone for what promises to be another highly competitive season.
Gómez Villafañe dominates the women’s race
In the women’s competition, Sofia Gómez Villafañe (Specialized Off Road) delivered a commanding performance across the two stages to secure the overall victory with a combined time of 7:03:00.
The Argentine rider, widely regarded as one of the most consistent and powerful figures in the current gravel scene, took control of the race early. A decisive performance in Stage 1 allowed her to build a strong advantage that would ultimately prove decisive in the general classification.
Sunday’s Stage 2 unfolded under even harsher conditions, with sections of the course heavily affected by mud and water. Rather than taking unnecessary risks, Gómez Villafañe adopted a controlled and defensive approach, carefully managing her lead to secure the overall win and start the Gravel Earth Series season in the strongest possible way.
Behind her, Sophie Wright (Ribble Outliers) confirmed her growing presence in the international gravel peloton with a consistent performance across both stages to finish second overall. Morgan Aguirre (PAS Racing) completed the podium after another solid display of endurance and race management.
One of the key storylines of the race was the early duel between Gómez Villafañe and Rosa Klöser, who finished second on Stage 1 and appeared ready to challenge for the overall. However, physical discomfort in her arm forced the German rider to withdraw before Stage 2, preventing what could have been one of the most anticipated battles of the weekend.
Further behind, riders such as Nicole Frain, Karolina Migoń and Geerike Schreurs played important roles throughout the race, particularly during the challenging second stage, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of the women’s field at the start of the 2026 season.
Würtz Schmidt secures the men’s general classification
The men’s race unfolded as a tightly contested battle across both stages, ultimately decided by a decisive move on the opening day.
Danish rider Mads Würtz Schmidt (Specialized Off Road) laid the foundations for his victory with a powerful attack in the final kilometres of Stage 1. The move created a crucial gap that allowed him to enter Stage 2 as the rider to beat.
Despite relentless pressure from a highly competitive field, Würtz Schmidt managed to defend his advantage on Sunday to secure the overall victory with a combined time of 5:57:01.
Just behind him, Romain Bardet (Factor Racing) continued to demonstrate his rapid adaptation to gravel racing. The French rider remained within striking distance throughout the weekend and pushed the pace during Stage 2 in an attempt to overturn the classification, ultimately finishing second overall.
Matthew Beers (Specialized Off Road) completed the podium after a resilient performance. A crash earlier in the race complicated his chances in the general classification, but the South African rider remained competitive across both stages and played a key role within the Specialized Off Road team dynamic.
The battle for the top positions remained exceptionally tight. Wout Alleman (BUFF-BH Team) delivered a strong ride to secure fourth place overall, while Germany’s Leon Kaiser (Modus Offroad) rounded out the top five.
Stage 2 itself saw a large group arrive together for the finish, with Tim Wollenberg taking the stage victory in a sprint ahead of Leon Kaiser and Jan Stöckli, reflecting the high level and tactical complexity that characterised the entire weekend.
Among the notable performances was Aniol Morell, part of the The Traka Roots development program supporting emerging riders. Competing against some of the most established names in the sport, the young Catalan rider secured a remarkable Top 20 finish, underlining the potential of the initiative.
Girona once again at the center of gravel cycling
Beyond the racing itself, Santa Vall once again confirmed Girona and its surrounding landscapes as one of the world’s reference destinations for gravel cycling.
Over two days, more than 800 participants experienced the distinctive terrain of the region: rolling gravel roads, forest tracks, agricultural paths and technical sectors shaped by recent rainfall. The conditions created a raw and authentic gravel environment where riders had to constantly adapt to the terrain.
The atmosphere around Sant Gregori reflected the growing global appeal of the discipline. Riders, teams and spectators gathered across the weekend, turning the area into a vibrant meeting point for the international gravel community and reinforcing Girona’s status as one of the sport’s key hubs.
Santa Vall 2026 – Top 10 Results
Men
- Mads Würtz Schmidt (Specialized Off Road) – 05:57:01
- Romain Bardet (Factor Racing RCC) – 05:57:14
- Matthew Beers (Specialized Off Road) – 05:57:28
- Wout Alleman (BUFF-BH Team) – 05:58:26
- Leon Kaiser (Modus Offroad) – 06:00:10
- Andreas Stokbro Nielsen (Swatt Club) – 06:00:13
- Yann Chaptal (Scott Creuse Oxygène) – 06:00:13
- Hugo Drechou (Gravel Nation) – 06:00:15
- Jonas Lindberg (Willing Able Racing) – 06:00:20
- Anton Stensby (Independent) – 06:01:28
Women
- Sofia Gómez Villafañe (Specialized Off Road) – 07:03:00
- Sophie Wright (Ribble Outliers) – 07:05:24
- Morgan Aguirre (PAS Racing) – 07:07:49
- Nicole Frain (Factor Racing Team) – 07:10:03
- Karolina Migoń (PAS Racing) – 07:10:07
- Geerike Schreurs (Specialized Off Road) – 07:11:23
- Axelle Dubau-Prévot (EF Education–Oatly) – 07:12:33
- Hanne Van Loock (Reverb Cycling Team) – 07:12:34
- Larissa Hartog (Canyon x DT Swiss All Terrain) – 07:13:30
- Nele Johanna Laing (Canyon x DT Swiss All Terrain) – 07:15:37
The Gravel Earth Series season is underway
With Santa Vall setting the tone for the season, the Gravel Earth Series calendar now moves forward with ten more events across the world. The opening round in Girona once again demonstrated the strength of the international gravel peloton and the growing energy of the community that surrounds the discipline.
From the challenging mud-filled tracks of Sant Gregori to the decisive attacks that shaped the race, Santa Vall delivered exactly what gravel racing promises: demanding terrain, tactical battles and a shared passion for exploration on two wheels.
The road to the 2026 Gravel Earth Series title has officially begun.
