The 2025 European gravel racing season is almost finished, but for Jorge Padrones there were still a few last chances to line up between the race tapes. He took part in the recent Spanish Gravel Cup finale and sent in this great ride report. 

There could not have been a better setting for the final of the 2025 Spanish Gravel Cup than this 114 Gravel Race in Badajoz. The 114 Gravel Race in Badajoz is well-known and has had several editions, but this year it changed its route and offered a fast pure gravel course that made us thoroughly enjoy the race.

In the end, for a gravel race to be ideal, you don’t need to have the best roads or the best views. The Badajoz area has some routes that, while they aren’t gravel roads like we’re used to seeing in other parts of Spain such as Girona or in parts of the United States, it does have a network of farm tracks in very good condition that allow for very fast riding and make gravel races really fun, offering true fast gravel.

Additionally, the 114 Gravel Race had the added appeal for many participants of only including 500 meters of ascent. Still, it was a full-fledged race, even featuring a sandy section in true cyclocross style where some of us had to walk — I’d say most of us did. But in the end, this is gravel, not road cycling and it’s good to have these kinds of small obstacles and challenges, even if they make you get off the bike for a few meters and show your skill in dismounting and remounting as quickly as possible.

The race leaders averaged over 35 km/h, despite the sandy section slowing things down. As we can see, it was a very fast race with hardly any mountainous obstacles, although the few inclines did make the legs burn.

These types of routes are suitable for everyone and can be enjoyed by more people than those with high mountainous or technical difficulty, making participation in these races more accessible. The organisers found the perfect route for this Spanish Gravel Cup.

Competitively, it was yet to be decided who would win the Spanish Gravel Cup, both in the overall and elite male categories, while in the female category Marta Tora had a significant lead over her rivals. After winning this race again, she was crowned champion of the 2025 Spanish Gravel Cup.

In the male category, the race was tight with Nacho Martín and Raúl Castrillo battling throughout, separated by just 15 points. Their placement in this race would determine the outcome of the Spanish Gravel Cup in 2025. In the end, Nacho Martín won the sprint against Raúl Castrillo, but the point difference between their positions did not allow him to win the overall category. He did, however, win the elite category, while Raúl Castrillo was crowned the overall winner of the Spanish Gravel Cup.

Another aspect where the organisation excelled was the post-race area. The finish line was in a central city park and upon arrival, there was a great atmosphere with other riders who had already finished. We all gathered, shared stories and talked about the race. All of this was accompanied by hamburgers, hot dogs and all kinds of drinks provided by the organisers to help us recover. Unlike other races where participants leave immediately, this race had a lively atmosphere with people staying around the finish area until the trophies were awarded, creating great camaraderie among all the riders.

Undoubtedly, a great success in terms of participation and satisfaction for all of us who attended this event in Badajoz.

Images courtesy of 114 Gravel Race except where credited.