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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 Romain Bardet attacked to cross the line solo ahead of Mads Würtz Schmidt in second and Mathijs Loman in third place.
 
In the women's race fresh off her win at Santa Vall Sofia Villafane attacked to win solo.
 
Full report and results to follow ...

2026 UCI Castellon Gravel Race Men's Top 3

1  Bardet Romain (Factor Racing RCC)
2  Würtz Schmidt Mads (Specialized Off-Road)
3  Loman Mathijs (Canyon x DT Swiss All Terrain Racing)

2026 UCI Castellon Gravel Race Women's Top 3

1 Sofia Gomez Villafane (Specialized Off-Road)

UCI Gravel World Series News