In the rugged heart of Spain’s mountainous Castellón province, the 2026 UCI Gravel World Series kicked off with an explosive display of power and technical skill at the Castellón Gravel Race Orbea. On Sunday, February 22, the town of Llucena served as the epicenter for nearly 850 cyclists from 40 different nations, all vying for early-season supremacy and a qualifying spot for the UCI Gravel World Championships.
The 97-kilometer course was a brutal test of endurance, featuring over 2,500 meters of elevation gain across a terrain that was 87% off-road. Under demanding conditions, two of the sport’s most established stars—Frenchman Romain Bardet and Argentine Sofía Gómez Villafañe—delivered masterclasses in gravel racing to claim the top steps of the podium.
Men’s Race: Bardet’s Sustained Dominance
The men’s elite field was packed with talent, including reigning XCM World Champion Keegan Swenson and road racing legends like Alejandro Valverde and Thomas De Gendt. From the 9:00 AM start at the Plaza Mosén Baltasar, the pace was relentless. Early attacks on the steep initial climbs quickly fractured the peloton, leaving a select group of favorites to battle for the lead.
Romain Bardet, the veteran Frenchman who has increasingly embraced gravel in the twilight of his road career, proved to be the strongest on the day. Bardet utilized his superior climbing ability to distance himself from the pack during the most technical sectors. He crossed the finish line solo with a time of 3:16:00, maintaining a blistering pace that none of his rivals could match.
Behind him, the battle for the remaining podium spots was fierce. While Keegan Swenson was a pre-race favorite, the tactical nature of the Spanish climbs played into the hands of the European specialists.
Men’s Top 3:
- Romain Bardet (FRA) – 3:16:00
- Keegan Swenson (USA)
- Alejandro Valverde (ESP)
Women’s Race: Gómez Villafañe Reigns Supreme
The women’s race featured a “who’s who” of off-road cycling, including former Unbound winners and defending series champions. Sofía Gómez Villafañe, representing Specialized Off-road, entered the race with high expectations and did not disappoint.
Gómez Villafañe displayed a perfect balance of tactical patience and raw power. On a course known for its technical descents and “punchey” climbs, she managed to break away from her closest competitors, Carolin Schiff and Rosa Klöser, during the second half of the race. She navigated the final rocky sectors with precision, finishing in 3:59:00. Her victory solidifies her status as one of the most dominant forces in global gravel racing.
The race for second was a nail-biter, with German powerhouse Carolin Schiff ultimately securing the silver, while Rosa Klöser rounded out a world-class podium.
Women’s Top 3:
- Sofía Gómez Villafañe (ARG) – 3:59:00
- Carolin Schiff (GER)
- Rosa Klöser (GER)
A Statement Start to the Season
The Castellón Gravel Race has rapidly become a crown jewel of the UCI series. The 2026 edition proved that gravel is no longer just a “retirement home” for roadies, but a specialized discipline where technical handling and high-altitude climbing are paramount.
With 40 nationalities represented and a field of 850 riders, the event highlighted the massive growth of the sport. Bardet and Gómez Villafañe have now officially set the bar for the rest of the 2026 season, leaving the rest of the field to play catch-up as the series moves toward its next stops in South America and across Europe.
