The race will feature a new route and registration is now open for the new edition.
The headquarters of the Generalitat de Catalunya in Girona hosted the presentation of the 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series Girona-Costa Brava Sea Otter Europe this morning. The world’s best riders gather once again in the gravel capital to battle for a spot in the World Championships. The revamped route is one of the main highlights of an event that aims to surpass the success of its first two editions. Registration is now open on the website: https://gironagravelworldseries.com
The event was attended by Narcís Cassassa, representative of the Generalitat’s Sports Department in Girona; Joaquim Roca (Girona Provincial Council); Carles Ferrer, president of the Catalan Cycling Federation; and Albert Balcells, CEO of Ocisport and the Shimano Sea Otter Europe Girona-Costa Brava by Garmin.
The 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series: the world’s best gravel racing
The most important gravel competition lands in Girona again on September 19. The race is one of the main attractions of the Shimano Sea Otter Europe Girona-Costa Brava by Garmin sports program and a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the world’s top specialists. Every year, the event attracts world-class international riders to the incomparable setting of the Girona region.
Following the UCI Gravel World Series structure, the event is also open to amateurs, who can compete in age groups and aim to finish in the top 25% of their category, granting them direct access to the World Championships.
Race director Albert Balcells highlighted that the Girona event is “at the highest global level of the discipline” and underlined the added value of a festival that will also include the MTB World Cup, establishing itself as a top-tier sports hub.
For his part, the president of the Catalan Cycling Federation, Carles Ferrer, remarked that “the combination of cycling disciplines makes Sea Otter Europe a top event, open to all audiences and fans,” emphasizing the festival’s ability to integrate sport, industry, and the public experience in one place.
Deputy and president of the Girona Greenways Consortium, Joaquim Roca, highlighted the event’s natural setting and stated that “cyclists from all over the world will see a unique and demanding environment that will generate a very significant economic impact on the region,” reinforcing Girona’s position as an international cycling destination.
Finally, the regional representative of the Sports Department, Narcís Casassa, highlighted the strategic importance of these types of events and stated that “it is key for Catalonia to have international sporting events spread across the territory,” contributing to global visibility and local economic development.
A new route: 109 kilometers and 940 meters of elevation gain
The organizers have presented a revamped route that maintains the same essence but offers a different challenge with new landscapes and hurdles.
The new route covers a distance of 109 km with 940 m of elevation gain. The Càrniques de Juià site will be the starting point, and riders will face a long climb right from the start: 5.2 km at an average gradient of 6.2%. This ascent will thin out the favorites and lead into the technical descent of Coll de Llumeneres (KM 21).
The race will head through forests and green landscapes. The fast tracks at KM 41 will pick up the group’s speed. The Mas Llunes climb (KM 83) could decide the race before reaching the final technical sections of the day.
The route will feature a short but tough climb (KM 100) that could be decisive before finishing inside the Shimano Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava-Girona by Garmin cycling festival.
A unique experience at the biggest cycling festival Taking part in the 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series at Sea Otter Europe means enjoying a top-tier gravel event within a festival where the best brands, cyclists, and industry professionals gather; with a large expo area and multiple activities for all audiences, the event has established itself as a benchmark in the cycling world.
