The second edition of the Gravel Earth Series is now a reality. The Santa Vall inaugurated an ambitious calendar that will visit 13 countries throughout 20 events determined to catapult gravel to another dimension. Finally this sport has an international circuit that represents the values ??of gravel and its athletes. Among them the Czech Petr Vakoc and the South African Ashleigh Moolman, who reigned in the first event of the season to take the spoils of 750 points and, consequently, become the first leaders of the Gravel Earth Series.
The Sant Gregori test, just five minutes from the Catalan city of Girona, proposed a challenge in stages, dividing its program into three very different days. An agonizing prologue in ascent of just over 6 kilometers with 350 meters of positive elevation gain welcomed all participants. An itinerary of 72.5 kilometers with 630 meters of positive gradient where only two previously marked sections were timed, was the innovative format of the second day. Finally, a classic linear stage of 116 kilometers with 1,540 meters of positive gradient closed a dream weekend. From Friday the 16th to Sunday the 18th of February, all eyes of the international gravel community were directed towards the Santa Vall.
Reasons were not lacking. The event brought together a stellar starting lineup. The Santa Vall is a Gravel Earth category event, but with a level of athletes equal to or even higher than the Gravel Earth Global challenges; Only five events have received this designation due to their prestige and they award 1000 points to the first place finisher. Nobody wanted to miss the start of a season that will be long and exciting. It should be remembered that the final classification will only take into account the two best scores of the year, plus the result of the Gravel Earth Final. However, the spectacle we have experienced in Santa Vall during these three days has been superlative.
The level of athletes in Santa Vall was worthy of the most important event on the Gravel Earth Series calendar. Beyond the professional representation, a large number of gravel fans also enjoyed the event.
From PlanetaBici.com it was a magnificent day of cycling. Impressive route, atmosphere, demand… A perfect day to start the cycle tourism season, as always, next to Etxeondo.
Nobody wanted to miss the start of this season. The next test will be in Kenya, where the Safari Gravel will be held on March 10. In this second edition, the circuit incorporates countries such as Mexico, the United States, Sweden, Denmark and Chile, to expand the values ??of the Gravel Earth Series around the planet and predict a good future for gravel while maintaining its essence and values.