The renowned cycling festival increases its international presence with world-class events.
The calendar offers a complete programme for all types of cyclists, with new races for the world’s best specialists and the continuation of some iconic events for amateurs.
The Shimano Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava-Girona by Garmin has announced its sports programme for the festival, which will take place on 19th-20th-21st September in the town of Girona. Last year’s event had record participation and this year’s promises to attract even more professional and amateur athletes. The sports programme reflects the growth of a key event in the sector, backed by a festival that continues to go from strength to strength with 68,000 visitors and 6,100 participants in the sporting events.
In 2025, the festival will reinforce its international profile with an ambitious and diverse sports programme covering the entire spectrum of cycling levels and disciplines, including events from the official UCI calendar, cycle touring events and children’s competitions. A mix of 12 challenges including road, MTB –XCO, XCM, XCC and XCE–, gravel, eMTB, trial and downhill races.
All this takes place in the city and province of Girona, considered by many to be one of the best cycling locations in the world.
The festival’s sports programme will attract both the best cyclists on the national and international scene and thousands of amateur participants.
A SPORTS PROGRAMME TO SUIT EVERYONE
Friday 19/09 – Opening of the competition
The action will kick off on Friday afternoon with the Eliminator, a spectacular and explosive format that grabs the audience’s attention. The first qualifying rounds lead up to the grand finale. Later, the Short Track will take centre stage, also in the Mobility Zone, featuring a short and exciting format that will bring the first day of the festival to a close.
Saturday 20/09 – The competitive heart of the festival
The second day of the festival will feature a constant stream of sporting events that will take place throughout the festival.
The Shimano Super Cup Massi will get the day underway with a race that will also count towards the Biking Point International Catalan MTB Cup. This is one of the most important Olympic Cross Country (XCO) championships in the world, in which the best riders on the planet usually compete. The festival will be the last event of the season and, therefore, decisive in determining the overall winners.
The Bosch eMTB Challenge is one of the new additions for 2025. The well-established international eMTB circuit brings a race to Sea Otter Europe that will put riders to the test: The course is divided into five timed sections and three categories: Amateur, Advanced (with an extra Pro section) and Pro Series (with two extra Pro sections).
In addition, the second edition of the 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series Sea Otter Europe Girona Costa Brava will bring together the stars of gravel cycling in the final qualifying event for the World Championships. A race that combines the world’s best specialists with amateur participants competing in age group categories.
The day will end with the Super Cup Youth, a competition that combines the values of sport and physical activity and turns the youngest cyclists into the stars of the show. On the other hand, the MTB Classic invites the most nostalgic enthusiasts to show off their mountain bikes from the 1980s and 1990s and return for a moment to the magical years when mountain biking was born.
Sunday 21/09 – The grand finale for amateurs and professionals alike
The last day will kick off in style with the biggest event and one of the festival’s biggest sporting attractions, the Ciclobrava by Orbea. A relaxed and fun cycling route that gives participants the choice of enjoying the roads of the Costa Brava and Les Gavarres first hand.
Almost simultaneously, it will be time for another of the festival’s highlights: the World Cup Marathon, La Tramun, starting in Les Planes d’Hostoles. The highest category of Cross Country Marathon (XCM) will be represented by the best riders in the discipline. The prestigious La Tramun route is now part of the festival and is preparing to welcome the biggest names in the sport – Elite and Master. This event also offers an Open category for those who want to ride the same route but not take part in the competition.
The SCOTT Marathon BTT is an alternative for those who want a less demanding route, but in true XCM style, with two races – XCM (long format) and XCP (short format) – also available in two categories: Pro (licensed) and Open (unlicensed).
In addition to these major events, there will also be other areas to complete the festival’s sporting programme: the Continental Gravel Ride Tour as a gravel cycling ride; the Mini DH, where you can marvel at the descents of the youngest riders; and the Girona Trial Cup to test participants’ ability to overcome obstacles on their bikes.
AN INTERNATIONAL CYCLING REFERENCE
The Shimano Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava Girona by Garmin reaffirms its role as one of Europe’s leading cycling festivals, complemented by a growing Euro Mobility Festival.
The combination of elite competition with activities for all audiences, bike testing, a trade fair, activities for professionals, family entertainment and a growing commitment to sustainability and sports tourism consolidates both festivals as one of the biggest events in European and international cycling.