There's a lot of excitement to see how this year's Traka 360 unfolds. As we've explained before, for us, the Traka 360 is the event's crowning achievement. We know that the Traka 200 will likely feature equally fast or even faster riders than here, and an even longer list of riders. But we believe the long distance gives gravel races a special character and helps define their unique identity. That's why we look back on this distance with great affection and consider it the mother of La Traka.
The spirit of Gerard, Cris, and their entire team has created a bond with the gravel community that goes beyond sporting or economic interests. The respect they've earned from everyone makes the Gravel Earth Series one of the most beloved series in the professional gravel community, especially La Traka.
Classics and new guests at the men's Traka 360
This year, the list of participants is once again top-notch. Among the most notable names are Mattia de Marchi (Italy, Enough Cycling Collective), winner of three editions.
It will also be at the exit Peter Stetina (United States, American Gravel Mafia), last year's winner, is aiming to defend his title. Other names to watch will be Rob Britton (Canada, Factor x OVRLND – SOG) —who was close to winning last year and finished second— and Chad Haga (United States), who completed the podium. It is also worth remembering Haga's podium finish at the other major event of the year, the Unbound, won by Lachlan Morton (Australia, EF), who will also be present and needs no introduction in Girona. We love seeing that they all share this spirit. privateer, free souls who can stand out and display all their talent here.
The list of candidates with a chance of reaching the podium is overwhelming. They will be Simen Nordahl Svendsen (Norway, PAS Racing), who suffered an unfortunate accident last year just a few kilometres from the finish line, winner of the 2024 GES; Griffin Easter (United States, ORBEA OpiCure Foundation), and Nils Correvon (Switzerland, PAS Racing).
Also, names like Matteo Fontana (Italy, Swatt Club), Paul Voss (Germany, Autsaid x Rose Bikes), Benjamin Perry (Canada, Guava) and Simon Pellaud (Switzerland), add even more excitement to the race.
All runners will also be eligible, such as Fredy Ovett (Australia), Tsgabu Grmay (Ethiopia, Team AMANI), and Tobias Kongstad (Denmark, PAS Racing).
Piotr Havik (Netherlands, Classified Factory Team) has withdrawn at the last minute due to a broken scapula. He will not be at the start and we wish him a speedy recovery.
And we can't forget runners like Sergio Mantecón Gutiérrez (Spain, Mondraker Factory Racing), who will compete over the 360-kilometer distance, and Tomi Misser, who at 50 years old continues to demonstrate an unflagging character. Few people know that Misser already stood on the final podium of La Traka 360 just two years ago.
Clear favorites in the women's Traka 360
This year's women's Traka 360 arrives with a very defined group of favorites. The main contenders for victory will be Karolin Migon (Poland, PAS Racing), Geerike Schreurs (Netherlands, SD Worx – Protime) and Sarah Sturm (United States, Specialized/SRAM/Rapha), the podium in the previous edition.
This group of favorites is joined by runners in very good shape such as Danni Shrosbree (United Kingdom, Castelli), Luise Valentin (Denmark, Enough Cycling) and Maddy Nutt (United Kingdom, Lauf/Velocio), all with outstanding performances this season. We will also have to keep a close eye on Axelle Dubau-Prévôt (France, Number 31 by Café du Cycliste), who arrives in great form after achieving his first podium finish in the United States and is currently competing in the Lifetime series.
Among the registered we will also be able to see Hannah Shell (United States, Vantage Racing), Heather Jackson (United States, Canyon/Shimano) and Sofia Schugar (United States, MAAP Pro FWD), who arrive in Girona as unknowns to be closely monitored. This group is also joined by Anna Kollmann-Suhr (Austria, PAS Racing) and Sarah Diekmeyer (Canada, Enough Cycling Collective), who could be protagonists depending on how the race develops.
Among the participants, the presence of Maria Capdevila (Spain), which this year has decided to take on the challenge of long distance, Saleta Castro (Spain, ORBEA) and the participation of the three musketeers of the Unica team: Odei Martínez de Falcón Balcells, Sanjhoy Beltrán and Maria Ferré Viladés.
With all these favorites and contenders, the Traka 360 promises to be an exciting edition, with many open fronts and a battle that is expected to be intense until the final kilometer.
We've reviewed many of this year's top names here, but we're sure we've left out a few more. Can you help us complete the list? Who are your favorites for this women's Traka 360? We'll be reading!