Villafane and Schmidt take overall victory for Specialized Off Road racing team at 2026 Santa Vall in Girona
Villafane and Wollenburg win Stage 2 of the 2026 Santa Vall in Girona in very windy and wet conditions
The 2026 Gravel Earth Series season began in Sant Gregori with the celebration of Santa Vall by The Traka, the event that officially opens the international calendar and where the first leadership positions of the year start to take shape. In a territory that has become part of European gravel identity, nearly 1,000 riders faced a demanding, technical and strategic weekend made up of two stages totaling 205 kilometers and 2,700 meters of elevation gain. The circuit is not decided here, but it begins to be built here.
The landscape played its role from the very beginning. After recent rainfall, the Gironès region appeared intensely green, with Mediterranean forests at their fullest expression, open fields shining under the sun and gravel roads winding between rolling hills. The roads of the Gironès never disappoint: fast when the terrain allows it, technical when it narrows, always authentic. Nature was not simply a backdrop, but an essential part of the competitive experience.
Stage 1 – 120 km | +1,600 m: precision in the mud and selective pace
The opening stage started under clear skies, yet the terrain told a different story. Rain from previous hours left forest tracks wet, muddy sectors challenging, and descents demanding precise line choice as much as power. Sant Gregori’s rolling profile, without major mountain passes but with constant elevation changes, gradually created gaps.
From the very first kilometers the pace was high. Teams worked on positioning in the fast sectors and protected their leaders in the most technical sections. In PRO Women, Sofía Gómez Villafañe (Specialized Off-Road) showed strength and determination to take victory in 4:16:01. Rosa Klöser (Canyon x SRAM x MAAP), 2025 circuit champion, finished second in 4:16:57, while Sophie Wright (Ribble Outliers) completed the podium in 4:17:29. The tight margins confirmed that the women’s field begins 2026 at an exceptionally high level.
In PRO Men, the stage was decided in a reduced group where every move mattered. Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Specialized Off-Road) crossed the line in 3:35:13, just seconds ahead of Wout Alleman and Romain Bardet. Minimal differences foreshadowed an open general classification heading into Sunday.
VIDEO: 2026 Santa Vall Stage 1 Livestream
Stage 2 – 85 km | +1,100 m: intensity and tight finishes
The second day dawned cold after a night marked by strong winds, though sunshine returned at the start. The terrain began to firm up, yet accumulated fatigue shaped race strategy. Sunday’s 85 kilometers were more explosive and demanded precise tactical awareness.
In PRO Women, Sofía Gómez Villafañe confirmed her dominance with another victory in 2:46:55, sealing a perfect weekend. Sophie Wright finished second in 2:47:51 and Nicole Frain third with the same real time, in another finish decided by seconds.
The men’s race delivered one of the tightest conclusions of the weekend. Up to ten riders rolled together after more than two hours of racing. Germany’s Tim Wollenberg (BIXS Race Team) prevailed in 2:21:40 in a reduced sprint that reflected the day’s intensity.
VIDEO: 2026 Santa Vall Stage 2 Livestream
Overall Classification – Consistency and character from the first event
After two days of racing, the general classification rewarded consistency and adaptability.
In OVERALL PRO Women, Sofía Gómez Villafañe claimed overall victory at Santa Vall by The Traka 2026 with a cumulative time of 7:03:00, becoming the first leader of the 2026 Gravel Earth Series. Sophie Wright finished second in 7:05:24 and Morgan Aguirre completed the podium in 7:07:49, marking a competitive and open start to the season.
In OVERALL PRO Men, Mads Wurtz Schmidt secured the overall win in 5:57:01 after his stage one victory and a solid performance on Sunday. Romain Bardet was second in 5:57:14 and Matthew Beers third in 5:57:28, in a classification decided by seconds after more than five and a half hours of accumulated effort.
With the first 50 points awarded in this Base-scale event, the 2026 season is officially underway. From Sant Gregori, the road to the September final in Belgium begins. Here strategies take shape. Here leadership is born. Here the story of the year begins.
Sant Gregori, a territory that defines gravel
Santa Vall by The Traka once again proves that Sant Gregori is not just a point on the map, but an active part of the sporting challenge. Rural roads, forest tracks and a rolling profile that gradually wears riders down make the environment a central protagonist. February’s intense green tones, the silence of the forests and the wide-open views across fields accompanied every kilometer, reminding everyone that in Girona gravel is experienced in direct connection with nature.
The event brought together participants in the PRO, AGE GROUP — structured by age brackets from U23 to 70–74 — and OPEN categories, maintaining the balance between high performance and participatory spirit that defines the Gravel Earth Series. As part of the By The Traka concept, the race reinforces the organizational identity and sporting coherence that have established Girona as one of the international epicenters of gravel. In addition, all participants receive priority access to registration for The Traka 2027.
With the first points already awarded in, the 2026 season is officially underway. From Sant Gregori, the road to the September final in Belgium begins. Here strategies take shape. Here leadership is born. Here the story of the year begins.
2026 Santa Vall Stage 2 Pro Women Top 10
2026 Santa Vall Stage 2 Pro Men Top 10
2026 Santa Vall Overall Pro Women
2026 Santa Vall Overall Pro Men