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United States >> 2026 Gravel Earth Series >> Villafane and Schmidt Take Victory on Stage 1 of 2026 Santa Vall in Girona
 
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Villafane and Schmidt Take Victory on Stage 1 of 2026 Santa Vall in Girona

Santa Vall signaled the first big European gravel race of the season. The two-day stage race around Girona, Spain is short by gravel standards, aggressive from the gun, and notorious for mixed surfaces that make equipment choice a complicated matter.

Villafane and Schmidt Take Victory on Stage 1 of 2026 Santa Vall in Girona

Prolonged sections of fast tarmac break up loose, rocky climbs and high-speed, drifting gravel corners. And this year, after a winter of heavy rain and local flooding, athletes will also have to contend with the added complication of mud.
 
The 129 km Stage 1 from Sant Gregori opened with just over 10 km of rolling pavement before turning onto loose, rocky gravel surfaces and a 3.7 km climb that could quickly split the field. A descent and then a flat run-in leads to the stage’s defining gravel climb starting at the 37 km mark, gaining 350 metres in 6.5 kilometres. There were deep river crossings that split up the race. 
 
After a technical gravel descent, the second half of Stage 1 was flat and rolling, with no significant climbing to contend with. However, with a snaking course, maintaining speed through countless high-speed loose corners will be vital to staying at the front. That prioritises traction and width, but balanced with mud clearance.
 
In the women's Villafane, Kloser and Klos built up a lead with Aguirre chasing after 60km. Villafane attacked and got a gap 4km later and slowly increased it, with Kloser and Aguirre chasing and Wright, Hartog and Hart chasing behind and then Migo, Migon and Schreurs behind that.
 
The mens race stayed together until 30 km when the attacks started before the first water station. Alleman got a gap and a group of 6 riders including Drechou chased. The conditions were really muddy with high winds and really deep water crossings. On the big climb, Alleman, Bardet, Kaiser and Soete opened up a gap after 36 km of racing. Behind Schmidt, Havik and a group containing Drechou and Becking chased.
 
Beers caught the breakaway, and, Alleman and Bardet attacked. Behind Schimdt, Soette and Roth formed a chase group.
 
With around 50 km to Schimdt attacked from behind bridged across to Alleman, Bardet and Beers at the front of the race. In the finale Schmidt attacked and got a gap of around 10 seconds to take first place ahead of Alleman and Bardet with Beers in fourth place.
 
Vilafane soloded to the finish 56 seconds ahead of Kloser and Wright another 33 seconds behind. Aguirre was dropped and finished another 2 minutes behind that.

VIDEO: 2026 Santa Vall Stage 1

2026 Santa Vall Stage 1 Pro Women Top 10

1 SOFIA GOMEZ VILLAFANE SPECIALIZED OFF-ROAD ARG 04:16:03 04:16:01
2 ROSA KLÖSER CANYON X SRAM X MAAP GER 04:17:01 04:16:57
3 SOPHIE WRIGHT RIBBLE OUTLIERS GBR 04:17:30 04:17:29
4 MORGAN AGUIRRE PAS RACING USA 04:19:50 04:19:47
5 GEERIKE SCHREURS SPECIALIZED OFF ROAD NED 04:22:05 04:22:03
6 AXELLE DUBAU-PREVOT EF EDUCATION-OATLY FRA 04:22:07 04:22:02
7 HANNE VAN LOOCK REVERB CYCLING TEAM BEL 04:22:07 04:22:03
8 NICOLE FRAIN FACTOR RACING TEAM AUS 04:22:08 04:22:01
9 NELE JOHANNA LAING CANYON X DT SWISS ALL TERRAIN RACING TEAM GER 04:22:08 04:22:06
10 KAROLINA MIGON PAS RACING POL 04:22:11 04:22:09

2026 Santa Vall Stage 1 Pro Men Top 10

1 MADS WÜRTZ SCHMIDT SPECIALIZED OFF-ROAD DEN 03:35:14 03:35:13
2 WOUT ALLEMAN BUFF-BH TEAM BEL 03:35:25 03:35:22
3 ROMAIN BARDET FACTOR RACING RCC FRA 03:35:27 03:35:27
4 MATTHEW BEERS SPECIALIZED OFF-ROAD RSA 03:35:37 03:35:36
5 ANDREAS STOKBRO NIELSEN SWATT CLUB DEN 03:38:24 03:38:22
6 YANN CHAPTAL SCOTT CREUSE OXYGÈNE FRA 03:38:25 03:38:15
7 LEON KAISER MODUS OFFROAD GER 03:38:25 03:38:17
8 JONAS LINDBERG WILLING ABLE RACING DEN 03:38:25 00:00:00
9 DAAN SOETE RIDLEY RACING BEL 03:38:26 03:38:23
10 ANTON STENSBY INDEPENDIENTE NOR 03:38:26 03:38:23
 
2026 Santa Vall Stage 1 Results: https://sportmaniacs.com/es/races/santa-vall-by-the-traka