Once again, Girona is the epicenter of gravel racing, with Santa Vall kickstarting the competitive season. The high standards of the organizers, combined with the eagerness of riders to test themselves against the rest after the winter break, have turned the 2024 edition of the Santa Vall by Klassmark into one of the most anticipated races on the calendar.
From Friday, February 16th to Sunday, February 18th, all eyes are fixed on Sant Gregori, a small village located just five minutes from the city of Girona.
In particular, we are focusing on the bikes taking part in the race. It is the first major event of the season, so after putting them to the test during the past weeks, many riders are racing for the first time with their new bike frames and components.
After the first stage, which was a short but steep hill climb up to Sant Grau, riders gathered back in Sant Gregori for the official presentation of the Gravel Earth Series. That allowed us to take a look at the bikes of each of the contenders for the overall win.
All riders went for the lightest and most aero setup possible. No bottles and no unnecessary saddle bags, which nonetheless may be useful for the long and hard stages coming up on Saturday and Sunday. We even saw participants with skinsuits and aero socks. Are we going too far?
Lydia Iglesias (Enough CC)
Lydia has joined the Enough Cycling Collective for 2024, and Santa Vall is her first event with them. In contrast with their colorful kit, this Basso Palta is mostly white, although it has some hidden details that prompt you to take a closer look at it. “A total white bike to let your mind fly and leave room to your imagination’’ is how they define it. The frame is complemented by a Campagnolo Ekar groupset and Fulcrum Rapid Red Carbon wheels.
David Trimble
It was so cool to come across David Trimble. Who would have said that after all those years of sharing our love for fixed-gear cycling, we would be spending some time together at the finish line of a gravel race? David, who is nowadays spending a lot of time in Girona, is taking part in Santa Vall with an Orbea Terra. With brakes.
David Lozano (Team Novo Nordisk)
Combining cycling disciplines is nowadays a thing, but David Lozano has been doing it for years. He is part of the UCI ProTeam Novo Nordisk, and a couple of weeks ago he was racing against some of the best road riders in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. He was 8th today with this Argon 18 Dark Matter and his two bottles full of water plus a saddle bag. By the looks of it, he is clearly in contention for the overall win.
Claudia Galicia (Groove Gravel)
Groove Gravel is a recently created team, and in their first year, they already count on renowned riders. Clàudia Galicia has collected medals and trophies in ski mountaineering and mountain bike and, after becoming mum of twins, she is back in the competitive world with gravel as her new focus. She has raced for most of her life with a Megamo, so it was easy for her to adapt to this Silk gravel model. We will continue keeping a close look at Claudia and the whole Groove Gravel because there are some exciting years ahead for them.
Mads Richardt Lundh (The Service Course)
A couple of weeks ago we spent a nice day on the bike with Mads while both riding the Argonaut Supernaut RM3, and now he is racing Santa Vall with the gravel model of the American brand. This Argonaut GR3 is complemented by e*thirteen wheels, cranks, and cassette. The mechanic of The Service Course got a very decent 16th position on day one, taking into account the number of professionals on the startlist.
