The Spanish Gravel Championship will celebrate its second edition this coming Saturday, May 10th, as part of the Coal Gravel Race. The national championship will be organized by Extremeñamente and will take place in the town of Llerena (Badajoz), in the province of Badajoz, with a route that runs through the southern countryside of Extremadura. The race will take place on paths connecting several towns in this region, passing through natural landscapes such as pastures and agricultural areas, on a purely gravel route.
With a 108-km route and 1,000 meters of elevation gain, this is expected to be a very fast race. Cyclists will pass through towns such as Villagarcía de la Torre, Higuera de Llerena, Berlanga, Ahillones, and Casas de Reina, in a predominantly rural and natural setting.
The course, clearly flat, suggests a very strategic race, in which it will be extremely difficult to make a difference. The forecast is uncertain, and everything points to a very open championship.
SUPPLIES AND TECHNICAL ZONES
- Output: liquid.
- Km 32 (Higuera de Llerena): Solid and liquid.
- Km 58: Solid and liquid.
- Km 86.5 (Berlanga): Solid and liquid.
- Meta: Final Party
In the men's category, the presence of Felipe Orts, a great national reference for cyclocross, who starts as one of the favorites to win, along with Kevin Suarez, Mario Junquera, Gonzalo Inguanzo, Raul Lopez, Raul Mira and Ismael Esteban, all of them coming from the winter discipline. We will also have to take into account Juan Ignacio Pérez and Eduardo Talavera, featured in the Spanish Gravel Cup, as well as former road professionals Luis Ángel Maté, Alejandro Ropero, Daniel Moreno and Alberto Losada, in addition to Raúl Castrillo and Aleix Espargaro, the latter increasingly hooked on gravel. Completing the list of highlights Enrique Morcillo and José María Sánchez.
Alejandro Valverde is among the entrants. It's unknown what approach he will take to the championship. He seems to be approaching the races with a bit more ease, but he's certainly keeping his teeth sharp and remains a name with a chance at anything. His class allows him, even today, to confidently compete in any challenge he sets himself.
The winner of the first edition, José Manuel Díaz Gallego, will not start in Llerena due to his commitments with the team Burgos-BH.
Felipe OrtsAfter the first gravel races of the season, I'm coming in with a bit of luck, because I felt pretty good in Ibereólica and Monaco and the results were good, but things didn't go well at Traka, either at the beginning or towards the end, although there wasn't much I could do about it there. It's true that they're quite different efforts; it'll be two and a half or three hours shorter, meaning it's more adaptable to my characteristics. We're going to fight, just like last year, to try and, as we go, see how my body reacts and where we are. As always happens in gravel, the idea is one, but then the plans change completely. With the intention of fighting, but knowing that there are many circumstances that influence it.
Kevin Suárez"The Spanish Championship, along with La Traka, are the goals for the start of this season, and the truth is, I think I'm in pretty good shape after this weekend's result, although it's true that it's been hard for me to recover. I hope to be in good shape on Saturday and be able to be with the best. Last year I was just a step away from the podium, and this year I'd like to win a medal. It looks like it will be a very fast and unselective course, so anything can happen."
Juan Ignacio Pérez: "I'm really looking forward to it. I've only competed a few times this year, but I think I'll be in good shape, despite the fall at La Indomable, which left my knee sore. Let's hope it doesn't bother me again."
Aleix Espargaro: "I'm really looking forward to participating in my first National Gravel Championship. I'm sure the level will be high. I'm getting more and more into this sport and feeling, and I'm looking forward to sharing the grid with great riders like Felipe Orts, Morcillo, and Jose Mari from Scott Cala Bandida. I'm sure there will be a lot of fast riders, so let's see if we can fight for a top-10 finish."
Felipe Orts
In the women's competition, Sofia Rodriguez will defend her title. In recent years, cyclocross riders like her or her teammate Lucia Gonzalez, one of the main contenders, has begun to establish itself on the gravel scene. They also have the added incentive of unveiling the new Jaleo MMR team, which has been launching in recent days with notable members.
Lucía González and Sofía Rodriguez, riding in the lead in the last edition of the national Gravel Championship
Increasingly, however, names from the mountain bike world are joining this type of competition. Cyclists such as Natalia Fischer, double European XCM champion, or Meritxell Figueras, who is starting her career in gravel and is also a serious candidate.
Another runner to follow will be Marta Tora, current leader of the Spanish Gravel Cup, who this season has signed for the Movistar Squad and has achieved outstanding results, such as victory in the UCI Gravel Series of La Indomable, as well as stages in Tierra de Campos and several podium finishes.
They also appear on the list of favorites Elisa Caldas, Isabel Martín, Marta Beti Yo Nahia Arana, completing a high-level female poster.
Sofia RodriguezMotivated, I think I've trained well. I'm well prepared for this second edition of the Spanish Gravel Championship. The truth is that this year has been an honor to be able to wear this jersey, train in it, and wear it to as many races as I can. The course is quite different from last year's; perhaps we need to focus more on tactics. It's a much shorter and much flatter race. I'm happy and motivated to see what this new championship has in store for us and, why not, fight to win it again and have it in my hands for another year. If I can't win it, I hope my teammate, Lucía, can win it.
Marta Tora: «The goal for the Spanish Championship, a few months ago, was to try to stay with the frontrunners, and as the season has progressed, I've felt really good. Now I feel better than ever, and the goal is a little more ambitious, although I won't be too provocative with my statements. I want to be with the fastest, have a good race, be smart, and stay as far up front as possible until the end. I'm really looking forward to this Saturday; it's a day I've been looking forward to for months and have been preparing for for a long time. So I hope my dreams come true.»
Meritxell Figueras: “This is only my second gravel race, and I honestly consider myself new to the sport. I qualified for the World Championships in Castellón, but it was a very different race than this weekend’s. This Spanish Championship is completely flat, and everyone I’ve spoken to tells me it’s very similar to a road classic. I have no experience in either road or gravel racing, so I’m coming here eager to learn and without too much pressure. Also, as you may have seen, I’m riding a brand-new Cannondale bike for the first time. So everything will be a bit new for me. I’m coming in with no high expectations. I know I’m in good shape because a very intense block of competition is starting now, with some World Cups, the Spanish XCM Championship, and the European Marathon. For me, this race will be a kind of kick-off for everything that’s coming up next. If it goes well, great, and if not, it will be a very good tune-up.”
We'll also have to keep a close eye on the Masters categories, which, as is well known, boast a very high level and extraordinary competitiveness. These categories make up a key part of the championship, with prominent names that guarantee highly contested races.
Family photo with all the winners of the first edition of the Spanish Gravel Championship
PROGRAMMING
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
5:00 PM – The Wednesday Classic by Fernando Torres.
Fernando Torres Store (Llerena)
Thursday, May 8, 2025
12:00 – Presentation of the Spanish Championship “COAL GRAVEL RACE”
Simón Vidarte Patio (Llerena)
18:00 – Velodrom Race by Specialized
Llerena Velodrome.
19:30 – Velódrom Race by Specialized awards ceremony
Spain Square (Llerena).
Friday, May 9, 2025
10:30 – Social Recon by Specialized
Spain Square (Llerena).
17:30 0 – Collection of Race Numbers
Plaza de España (Llerena)
18:30 – Challenges Tour Gravel Race
Plaza de España (Llerena)
7:30 PM – Briefing.
Simón Vidarte Courtyard (Llerena)
20:30 – Challenges Tour Gravel Race awards ceremony
Plaza de España (Llerena)
Saturday, May 10, 2025
08:00 – Collection of Race Numbers
09:00 – COAL GRAVEL RACE starting gate opens
09:30 – Departure COAL GRAVEL RACE
12:30 – Arrival of the first COAL GRAVEL RACE runner.
2:00 PM – Trophy Presentation Ceremony.
3:30 PM – Control zone closes
To all participants, we wish you the best of luck, maximum safety, and a great day of gravel riding.