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United States >> 2026 Trek UCI Gravel World Series >> Villafane and Bardet take victory at 2026 UCI Castellon Gravel Race in Spain
 
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Villafane and Bardet take victory at 2026 UCI Castellon Gravel Race in Spain

The global gravel peloton converged on Llucena del Cid this weekend, deep in the mountains of Castellón, for the Castellón Gravel Race, the European opening leg of the Gravelking UCI Gravel World Series calendar.

Villafane and Bardet take victory at 2026 UCI Castellon Gravel Race in Spain

The event’s international stature attracted a total of 838 riders, representing 40 different nationalities from five continents, underlining the race’s status as one of the most attractive early season gravel events on the calendar.
 
Starting and finishing in the heart of Llucena, the course headed into the rugged interior of the Comunidad Valenciana. Riders tackled either the 97 km main distance or the 85 km shorter route, both designed around the surrounding mountain range. With 80% gravel roads and 20% paved sections, the race delivers classic Mediterranean gravel: fast forest tracks, wide agricultural roads and long, steady climbs rather than highly technical singletrack.
 
The race profile was selective from the very start with over 2,500 metres of climbing in the 97km distance and 2,100 metres for the 85km route with a finale facing a steep final kilometre at nearly 10%.
 
Amongst the top level international start list were defending champions Alejandro Valverde and Carolin Schiff, Romain Bardet, Thomas De Gendt, Keegan Swenson, Mads Würtz Schmidt, Sofía Gómez, Morgan Aguirre, Rosa Kloser and Karolina Migon.

In the men's race, the 35-year-old former yellow jersey wearer Romain Bardet attacked to cross the line solo ahead of Mads Würtz Schmidt in second and Mathijs Loman in third place. It was Bardet's second victory on the young gravel season, adding Castellon to his win at RADL GRVL.

In the women's race fresh off her win at Santa Vall Sofia Villafane attacked to win solo. Morgan Aguirre (PAS Racing) who took the runner-up position while new gravel racer Elena Hartmann – who won the Swiss national time trial title on the road from 2022-24 – came third. Villafañe, who started the season by sweeping both stages and the overall at Santa Vall, took off after the first 10 miles, working through the men's fields on the route. Aguirre, though, had certainly not let off in the pursuit behind, finishing just 17 seconds back.
 
A total of 167 male and female riders have earned the coveted qualifying medal for the World Championships and the European Championships. First opportunity in Spain and in Europe. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM!
 
Another of the biggest celebrations this afternoon was for Pinson Régis, world champion and winner of the Men 75–79 category. It was a true honor to have him with us today in Llucena—an inspiring example of dedication and passion for the sport. He completed the race with a time of 4h32’, an outstanding performance at his age while competing at the highest level. Without a doubt, an admirable achievement that deserves full recognition.
 
The Castellón Gravel Race is the second event in the UCI Gravel World Series so far this year, with the racing in the qualifying series for the UCI Gravel World Championship having kicked off in 2026 with The Ceder in South Africa, which was won by Hayley Preen (Honeycomb 226ers) and Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB).

2026 UCI Castellon Gravel Race Men's Top 10

1  Bardet Romain 3:16:39
2  Würtz Schmidt Mads Specialized Off-Road Team 2:04
3  Loman Mathijs Canyon x DT Swiss All-Terrain Racing 4:27
4  Stensby Anton 5:10
5  Voß Paul 6:03
6  Bou Roberto 6:08
7  Becking Hans 6:21
8  Thomas Ben Ribble Outliers 6:30
9  Malezsewski Lukas 6:42
10  Morell Aniol 6:56

2026 UCI Castellon Gravel Race Women's Top 10

1  Gómez Sofía Specialized Off-Road Team 3:54:57
2  Aguirre Morgan PAS Racing 0:17
3  Hartmann Elena 0:43
4  Migon Karolina PAS Racing 1:06
5  Wright Sophie Ribble Outliers 2:00
6  Laing Nele Canyon x DT Swiss All-Terrain Racing 6:22
7  Rauwerda Kaitlyn The Cyclery Racing 8:50
8  Huber Lea NEXETIS 11:58
9  Schreurs Gerike Specialized Off-Road Team 12:23
10  Winter Mara NEXETIS 12:38

UCI Gravel World Series News