Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste are go. Santa Vall, part of the Gravel Earth Series, was Axelle Dubau-Prévôt and Hugo Drechou’s first race this year, and, in amongst the mud and the madness, it offered big encouragement for the season ahead.

The first race of the season is always special. New bike. New kit. New goals. A whole winter’s training under your belt… A blank slate on which to make your mark. It’s also first sight of the competition.

Based just outside Girona, Santa Vall took place over two days and two stages. The region has become known as the gravel capital of the world, and the racing offered the classic conditions we’ve come to expect. Smooth packed-down farm tracks and sandy, stony rutted climbs through oak and pine forests, with the early-season sun shining down on deep brown earth.

Stage 1 was 80 kilometres with 1,100 metres of climbing; Stage 2, 114 kilometres and 1,600 metres. After the apprehension of the sign-on and the build-up, the racing was furious, aggressive and bold right from the gun.

In Stage 1, Axelle came fifth, while Hugo had bike issues that consigned him to the middle of the pack. Stage 2, however, saw the pair both perform. Axelle took the sprint for second place, while Hugo was just edged off the podium, losing third place by less than a second.

First place overall among the women was Annika Langvad, and among the men was Magnus Bak Klaris; both Danes won both stages, not giving their competitors a chance! However, Axelle was content with her performance and a first podium of the season, while Hugo was pleased with the resilience that saw him challenge for the second stage podium after Stage 1’s setback. Overall, a great start, despite the difficulties, and sign of good things to come!