- The 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series headlines the second day of a tenth edition that combines international competition, over 500 brands, Demobike, and activities for all audiences. Two Germans claimed gold in the UCI Gravel event, with victory for Rosa Klöser in the women’s race and Leon Kaiser taking the men’s title.
The Shimano Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava-Girona by Garmin experienced one of the central days of its tenth edition this Saturday, with non-stop cycling from early morning and intense activity both on the competition circuits and in the aisles of the expo zone.
From the moment the venue opened early in the morning, and throughout the day without interruption, the over 500 brands present at the festival received an intense flow of thousands of enthusiasts eager to discover bikes, components, accessories, and the latest market innovations. The 10% expansion of the expo area in this edition has allowed even greater dimension to a commercial zone that has become one of the great meeting points between the cycling industry and the end user.
The multitude of visitors and exhibiting brands agree in placing very positive value on the formula that combines product exhibition with the opportunity to watch international competition, participate in events, discover different disciplines, or simply spend an enjoyable day in a cycling universe such as Sea Otter Europe.
The 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series, Saturday’s headliner
The day’s major sporting focus was the 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series, one of the highest-level competitions in the entire Sea Otter Europe program and a qualifying event for the UCI Gravel World Championship. The race was broadcast live worldwide on the Eurosport channel and drew a large crowd along its route, especially in the opening kilometers after the start from Juià and in the decisive sections, already in the area surrounding the Sea Otter Europe festival zone. The race brought together top-level international riders who competed on a carefully designed circuit that proved to be a privileged stage for this discipline.
The Germans reigned in the 109 km race over dirt roads between Juià and Girona. In the women’s race, the best was Rosa Klöser, who posted a time of 3:23:18, followed by two Dutch riders on the podium, Larissa Hartog and Marianne Vos, who recorded times of 3:25:59 and 3:29:47, respectively.
Klöser stated, already wearing her medal, that “this is the first race after a few weeks off due to a health issue for which I had to take antibiotics. I didn’t really know how it would go. So I’m very proud of my result because at the start I told myself to ride very aggressively and already on the first hard climb a group of us broke away and we worked really hard together, even though the victory went to me.”
In the men’s race, the finish was decided by just one second when Germany’s Leon Kaiser surged ahead in the final sprint to take the win with a time of 3:03:57, followed by his compatriot Paul Voss at 3:03:58 and Italy’s Fabian Rabensteiner at 3:03:58.
Kaiser stated, once he knew he had won, and as could only be expected, that he was “very happy! I had never won in Girona and I’ve finally done it. The truth is I rode an Avona with 32mm wheels and for the type of terrain it was ideal. We rode with a strong group for almost the entire race and in the final kilometers the terrain was very rough, but I think I handled it perfectly.”
Mountain biking from early morning
The sporting program had begun much earlier with the Shimano Super Cup Massi, which occupied a good part of the morning with different starts on the XCO circuit.
The sporting program had begun much earlier with the Shimano Super Cup Massi, which occupied a good part of the morning with different starts on the XCO circuit. In the Elite category, French riders imposed their authority in both the women’s and men’s races. Cynthia Boivinet and Antoine Philipp claimed the top spot on the podium in the top category of these races, a Sea Otter Europe classic that throughout the morning drew hundreds of enthusiasts along the course.
In the afternoon, grassroots cycling also played a leading role with the Shimano Super Cup Youth, which offered races from the pre-beginner category through to children’s.
The program was completed with the City MTB Eliminator Series, featuring women’s and men’s time trials, XCE finals, and a Short Track event, and with one of Sea Otter Europe’s most distinctive events, the MTB Classic, which brings back bikes and aesthetics from earlier eras of mountain biking.
Demobike and a festival to spend the whole day
Demobike maintained intense activity throughout Saturday. With over 40 brands available in this edition, enthusiasts were able to test bikes from different disciplines on the circuits set up by the organizers. Following the over 4,600 reservations recorded last year, the activity remains one of the experiences most highly valued by visitors.
Sunday, a World Cup final to close the tenth edition
The Shimano Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava-Girona by Garmin will face its third and final day on Sunday with a program that will begin very early. The Ciclobrava by Lapierre will start at 8:00 AM and the SCOTT Marathon BTT will depart at 8:45 AM, before the festival opens its doors at 9:00 AM.
The day’s major sporting moment will be the HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup, La Tramun. The international competition will bring the XCM world season to a close and will be the weekend’s other top-level event, following the 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series held today.
Also taking place will be the Continental Girona Gravel Ride, the Copa Girona Trial by Sea Otter Europe, the Mini DH, and a family bike ride, on a final day that will once again combine international competition with popular events, grassroots cycling, and activities for the whole family.
Updated information on access, parking, public transport, and mobility recommendations can be found on the festival’s official website.
Access to the venue is free, but it is necessary to download your ticket in advance through the following link: https://www.seaottereurope.com/free-visitor-ticket/
