There's great anticipation for the first stage of the circuit, with the long-distance specialists vying for their first HERO UCI Marathon World Cup points. The world's best UCI-ranked athletes will be on the starting line. An extraordinary starting lineup promises a great race with two world runner-ups, two European champions, and thirteen national champions.
Source: press release
The countdown to the 2026 UCI HERO has begun Cross-country Marathon World Cup during the HERO Costa Blanca presented by Millennium Luxury Properties, the race between Calpe and Benissa which will take place on Saturday 21 February.
Over 180 Elite and Master License athletes from 26 nations and four continents, as well as amateurs, are expected to set off from Calpe. They will test their skills on the 82 km (2.700 m elevation gain) and 50 km (1.400 m elevation gain) routes through the beautiful landscapes of the Costa Blanca. These routes will test the participants' physical condition as well as their technical skills on the single tracks between Calpe and Benissa and the other municipalities involved in the event.
THE ATHLETES AT THE START
The starting grid will once again feature the defending champions, who won the title in Spain five months ago: German Andreas Seewald (Singer KTM Racing) and Dutch Rosa Van Doorn. A strong field of contenders will compete for the win, including Belgian Wout Alleman, Italian Samuele Porro of the Klimatiza Orbea Team, his compatriot Gioele De Cosmo, and Leo Paez of the Leecougan Basso Factory Team, all vying for the top spot in the Men's Elite standings. Among the women, the Elite category will compete against the reigning champion, German Adelheid Morath, and Italian Sandra Mairhofer, both of the Leecougan Basso Factory Team, Polish athlete Paula Gorycka-Kurmann, Bosnian Lejla Njemčevic, Italian Claudia Peretti, and Natalia Fischer of the Extremadura Ecopilas team. Making their debut on the circuit, further heating up the challenge, will be Spaniard David Valero of the Klimatiza Orbea Team, ten-time Spanish champion and bronze medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and Anna Weinbeer of the KTM Spada team powered by Brenta Brakes, 2025 XCM world vice-champion. Also on the starting line are Sophie Johnson, European Master champion, and Alexandre Lladó, winner of the 2025 Master Licence edition.
In addition to the large contingent of professional bikers, hundreds of amateurs will line up in Calpe, finding the Costa Blanca a dress rehearsal for the 2026 season.
THE HERO DISTRIBUTED IN THE WORLD
An event of such international scope can only have visibility far beyond Spain's borders. The most important sports television networks and digital platforms will broadcast the HERO Costa Blanca presented by Millennium Luxury Properties across four continents. Those wishing to follow it live from 11:00-13:00 (CET) can do so by connecting to the official UCI HERO website. Cross-country Marathon World Cup: www.heroucimarathonworldcup.com.
The exciting three-day event kicks off at the HERO Village, which will open its exhibition spaces to athletes and fans on Friday, February 20th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On the same day, at 3:30 p.m., the official presentation of the 2026 UCI XCM Teams will take place on the main stage. This will be followed at 4:00 p.m. by the HERO Race Talk, where top-level athletes will share their impressions and feelings ahead of the first race of the series. Speakers will include Spain's Natalia Fischer (Extremadura Ecopilas), her compatriot David Valero (Klimatiza Orbea Team), along with American Hannah Otto and Colombian Leo Paez (Leecougan Basso Factory Racing).
The event will be broadcast LIVE on Instagram on Friday, February 20th at 16:00 PM: instagram.com/heroucimarathonworldcup.
The Elite men's race will start at 8:00 a.m. the next day at Parc de la Creativitat, followed ten minutes later by the women's race. The Masters racers will start at 8:20 a.m. All amateur races will start at 8:30 a.m.
The first Elite men's competitors are expected to arrive in Calpe at approximately 12:00, followed by the Elite women's and Masters. To conclude, the HERO Costa Blanca winners will be celebrated at the Prize Giving Ceremony at 1:00 PM.
And while adults challenge themselves on the climbs of the Costa Blanca, the organizers have also made room for tomorrow's HEROes with the HERO Kids Costa Blanca, which will be held on Saturday, February 21st at 9:30 a.m., an experience to allow the little ones to experience the beauty of mountain biking.
