The two last qualifier events prior to the World Championships in two weeks will take place this weekend in Spain and the UK.
The race in Ruthin, Wales is new to the calendar and has been sold out. Given the specific location, the organizers decided to limit the number of riders to 520. Amongst them Connor and Ben Swift, Christensen, Orset, Amelia Mitchell and former pro Thomas Dekker.
The 111km course at the Brenig Reservoir in Llyn Brenig has a 57.6 km lap which needs to be done two times for all categories. With an elevation gain of 2023m, it promises to be a hard course.
In Girona, it’s still possible to register. The race who is part of the Sea Otter Europe bike festival with big expo and in the Catalonian gravel paradise has actually 732 registered riders from 41 different countries, amongst which a parade of stars like reigning World Champion Matej Mohoric, Valverde, Drechou, Vakoc, Kloser, Schiff, Alison Jackson, Cromwell and many others… But also former legends like Alain Prost, Miguel Indurain and Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez are at the start.
The 107km course with 1828m of elevation starts from almost sea level and quickly heads towards an altitude over 400m with the major elevation in the first half. The second half has one final climb with its top 10km before the finish.
