Preview Clasica Jaén 2026 | Pidcock and company set for Spanish gravel and mud

Clásica Jaén is still relatively new on the calendar, but the organisers can already boast big names on the honour roll — Tadej Pogačar and Michał Kwiatkowski among them. Every year, top riders add it to their early-season plans, and 2026 is no different.

Placed neatly on the calendar just ahead of the Volta ao Algarve and Vuelta a Andalucía (Ruta del Sol), Clásica Jaén is an ideal warm-up for climbers and punchers who don’t mind a bit of gravel. Kwiatkowski won last year, but with unpredictable weather and a demanding finale, everything feels wide open again.

2025 Michal Kwiatkowski
2024 Oier Lazkano
2023 Tadej Pogacar
2022 Alexey Lutsenko

Clásica Jaén is a typical Spanish one-day race: a long run-in, followed by a tough finale on a local circuit. The setting does its part too — much like its “big brother” Strade Bianche. The olive groves around Úbeda, an idyllic landscape and short, punchy climbs combine for guaranteed spectacle.

Because local authorities were stricter this year and the race — unlike previous editions — needs to guarantee stable TV coverage, the organisers had to find new solutions. Riders will still face 154.2 kilometres, though the original plan was 169 kilometres.

Winter rainfall in Spain has also forced changes to the route: instead of 10 planned gravel sectors, there will now be six, totalling around 25 kilometres of gravel between the olive groves. That should not take away from the fun.

The first gravel arrives after roughly 80 kilometres, on the climb of Vandelvira (1.2 km). After that comes Mar de Olivos, part of a long gravel section that constantly rises and falls. The same goes for Juancaballo, topping out a rolling sector.

After the 2.3 km gravel climb of Santa Eulalia, the race speeds along the slightly downhill gravel of San Bartolomé, before tackling Mar de Olivos again from a different approach. Following that final sector, the finish in Úbeda is uphill.

Weather
Spanish weather has already caused several races to be shortened — or even cancelled — this season. In Úbeda (start and finish), Monday is expected to bring a mix of rain and strong winds (force 3 to 4 from the south-west). That promises a tricky day.

Times
Start: 1:20 PM local time
Finish: around 5:11 PM local time

As mentioned, the Clásica Jaén start list has been consistently strong in recent years, and 2026 is no exception. The standout favourite on paper is Tom Pidcock — a former Strade Bianche winner and a debutant in this Spanish gravel race. The Pinarello–Q36.5 leader has already shown form at the Vuelta a la Región de Murcia.

For the challengers, you inevitably look first at UAE Team Emirates–XRG, who have been the peloton’s most dominant force for years. Marc Soler won stage 1 and the overall in Murcia and looks in good shape. Tim Wellens, Benoît Cosnefroy and Jan Christen are also genuine candidates for victory on Monday.

Movistar arrive with Roger Adrià as a strong leader. Bahrain Victorious bring gravel-friendly riders like Pello Bilbao and Attila Valter, while Matej Mohorič is also more than capable on the right day. At Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe, expectations are on Giulio Pellizzari, but don’t forget in-form Maxim Van Gils and Gianni Vermeersch either.

One more WorldTour team to mention is Soudal Quick-Step. With a very young squad, “The Wolfpack” may not be all-in for the win — though other outsiders could well come from Pidcock’s own team, where riders like Quinten Hermans and Milan Vader might benefit from the attention on their leader.

From the ProTeams, Spanish squads Caja Rural, Burgos Burpellet BH and Equipo Kern Pharma line up with tidy groups. And keep an eye on Unibet Tietema Rockets, who bring an interesting squad including Lukas Kubis.

Top favorite: Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) and Tim Wellens (UAE Emirates-XRG)
Outsiders: Jan Christen and Benoît Cosnefroy ( UAE Emirates-XRG), Maxim Van Gils and Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious)
Long shots: Marc Soler (UAE Emirates-XRG), Roger Adrìa (Movistar), Attila Valter (Bahrain Victorious), Gianni Vermeersch (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Quinten Hermans (Pinarello-Q36.5), Lukas Kubis (Unibet Rose Rockets)

Because of the Olympic Games, Clásica Jaén will not be shown live on Eurosport 1, but it will be on Eurosport 2 and on HBO Max (online) with live coverage starting at 15:30 (CET).

Bram van der Ploeg ( X: @BvdPloegg | email : [email protected])