Valencian one-day races 2026 (January 23-25)

[Devil's Elbow]

I caved. I don't regret it. I guess my 'foreseeable future' lasts barely more than four months.

Friday, January 23: Clàssica Camp de Morvedre (163.4k)

After last year's edition as a 1.2, this year marks the return of the pros for the first time since 1989 (when Jalabert capped off a line of podium finishers including Hinault, Delgado, Roche and Chozas). The route is insanely hard for the time of year - they're using the northern side of Garbí (also known as La Frontera), which lacks the 22% pitches of the eastern side tackled last year but has far more sustained gradients, and have added a third ascent. Whoever wants to succeed Urko Berrade has their work cut out for them.

Startlist (incomplete)

Starts at: 12:20
ETA: 16:11

Where to watch?
The broadcast starts at 15:00. The organisers confirmed today it will be on RTVE Play (geoblocked), just like last year, but it doesn't appear on RTVE's site anywhere at the time of writing. There is no list of international broadcasters anywhere, but in Belgium it will be on Proximus Pickx. Last year, Bikechannel had the rights in Italy and didn't geoblock their stream, but I'm sceptical as to whether that will also be the case this year.

The route

(yes, that's really the resolution of the official upload)

Alto del Garbí:

Saturday, January 24: Gran Premio Castellón - Ruta de la Ceramica (171.7k)

After Friday's climbing odyssey, the Saturday is suited to a wider range of riders. The route is exactly the same as last year, when António Morgado started his ridiculous run of early-season form.

Startlist (incomplete)

Starts at: 12:36
ETA: 16:30 - 16:53

Where to watch?
Exactly the same deal as Friday's race.

The route

Quoting my post from last year, for obvious reasons:

Alto de la Coma:

Alto de la Serratella:

Collado de Ayódar (only the first 5.1k, as far as the junction to Sueras):

The final 250 metres to the line average 12.0% as per the roadbook.

Sunday, January 25: Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 (199.5k)

It's an even-numbered year, which means that the race runs from La Nucia to Valencia and is reasonably sprinter-friendly. Having said that, there are almost 2500 metres of elevation gain to deal with and UAE are here with what should be a fairly climby team, so a hard race is possible.

Startlist (incomplete)

Starts at: 12:30
ETA: 17:03 - 17:30

Where to watch?
It's been on Youtube for the past few years. They've put up a new site for this year and are linking to the same channel it was on last year, but I don't see anything scheduled there, so wait and see, I guess.

The route

Coll de Rates:

Alto de Fageca:

Alto de Beniarres:

Serra Grossa (the main uncategorised climb after that, ~118k into the day):

 

[Cookster15]

The route is insanely hard for the time of year - they're using the northern side of Garbí (also known as La Frontera), which lacks the 22% pitches of the eastern side tackled last year but has far more sustained gradients, and have added a third ascent.

Thanks for caving.

Friday's Alto del Garbí certainly puts Willunga in the TDU into perspective. Tough route for January.

 

[Squire]

I did watch the Classica Camp de Morvedre last year and I remember Alexys Brunel doing very well. But I don't remember exactly how it all happened. Was Brunel from an early attack? Because he doesn't really belong among the very climby names on the results sheet. Or did he just beast the climb?

After Friday's climbing odyssey, the Saturday is suited to a wider range of riders. The route is exactly the same as last year, when António Morgado started his ridiculous run of early-season form.

Hopefully he starts one day earlier this year! Or maybe the first one is more for Torres. The startlist is currently very barren, but it doesn't look like there will be plenty of top climbers for Morvedre.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I did watch the Classica Camp de Morvedre last year and I remember Alexys Brunel doing very well. But I don't remember exactly how it all happened. Was Brunel from an early attack?

Was in the early break, got caught on the climb, then when a bigger group came together after the descent he attacked from it.