How technical is Race Across Spain?

Riders tackle demanding passes such as Portillo de la Lunada in Cantabria and Puerto del Oronet in Sierra Calderona, mixing climbs with varied terrain.[2]

Race Across Spain Review 2026 | Spain

[01]

Course Overview

621 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Elevation

Santander to Valencia, Spain

Location

September 16, 2026

Date

Field Size

--

Entry Cost

+ Google Calendar Download .ics

MORE IN SPAIN: The Traka 200 · Badlands · Gravel Earth Series

[03]

The Course

A grand traverse of Spain from the wild Cantabrian north to Valencia's Mediterranean warmth, blending relentless climbs, picturesque villages, and diverse terrains through mountains, plateaus, and coasts.

Signature challenge: Overcoming the cumulative 35,000ft elevation across 621 miles, punctuated by Spain's most scenic passes and cultural gems.

SURFACE COMPOSITION

Course

paved 95%

paved 95%gravel 5%other 0%

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MILE

Portillo de la Lunada

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MILE

Iberian Plateau

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MILE

Puerto de Almedijar & Oronet

[07]

Training

September 16, 2026 RACE ACROSS SPAIN

[08]

Train for Race Across Spain

RACE DEMAND PROFILE

Durability

10

Climbing

10

VO2 Power

4

Threshold

5

Technical

6

Heat

6

Altitude

8

Race Specificity

8

3 WORKOUTS BUILT FOR THIS RACE

Each workout below is selected from our archetype library based on Race Across Spain’s specific demands. Click any workout to see the full execution protocol.

Durability Tired VO2max

2.5hr +

VO2max intervals after 2 hours of endurance — power when it matters most.

621 miles. Your legs will beg to quit after 120. This trains the power output you need from mile 130 onward.

Z2 Base 2hr

4m VO2

4m

4m VO2

4m

CD

Endurance Terrain Simulation Z2

2hr +

Zone 2 with rolling terrain simulation — undulating power that builds fat oxidation.

Every hard session works better with a bigger aerobic base. At 621 miles, base fitness is the difference between racing and surviving.

WU

RISE

FLAT

RISE

VALLEY

RISE

FLAT

RISE

VALLEY

RISE

CD

STRUCTURE 10min warm-up → 1.75hr alternating 4min @ 72–78% FTP (rises) and 6min @ 62–68% FTP (valleys) → cool-down

EXECUTION Stay in Zone 2 the entire time, but undulate your power to simulate rolling terrain. The rises push the top of Z2; the valleys ease off. This builds terrain-responsive pacing without leaving the aerobic zone. Your body learns to modulate power without thinking.

POWER Rises: 72–78% FTP | Valleys: 62–68% FTP | All within Zone 2

CADENCE Rises: 80–85rpm | Valleys: 88–92rpm

POSITION Alternate: hoods on rises, drops on flats. Build position endurance.

RPE 3–4 throughout — never hard, but never mindless

RACE-SPECIFIC: RACE ACROSS SPAIN

HEAT PREP September in Santander to Valencia, Spain can bring heat. Complete 3–4 heat exposure sessions in the final 2 weeks before Race Across Spain. Increase sodium intake 48 hours before race day.

NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 621 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 621 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.

ALTITUDE Race Across Spain with 35,000ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%.

TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Race Across Spain requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on mixed terrain to build confidence.

Over Under Ladder Over-Unders

1.1hr +

Over-unders with increasing over-duration — the ladder adds progressive stress.

At Race Across Spain, surges push you above threshold and you have to recover while still riding. Over-unders train exactly that.

WU 10m

3m U

30s O

3m U

45s O

3m U

60s O

3m U

75s O

3m U

90s O

CD

FREE

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[09]

Race Logistics

Parking

Available at Palacio de los Deportes main venue in Santander.

OFFICIAL SITE

NEWS

Latest Coverage

[—]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the climate like at Race Across Spain?

Starting on the Cantabrian coast in Santander, the route transitions from cool northern mountains to warmer Mediterranean climates near Valencia.[1][2]

How are the logistics for Race Across Spain?

Departure from Santander and arrival in Riba-Roja de Túria, both near airports, simplify travel for the 2026 edition.[1]

How adventurous is Race Across Spain?

The 1000 km route from Santander to Riba-Roja de Túria crosses diverse landscapes including Cantabria's mountains, Iberian plateaus' deserts, and Mediterranean coasts, passing through picturesque villages like Liérganes, Albarracín, and Vinuesa.[1][2]

How prestigious is Race Across Spain?

As the first edition of Race Across Spain in 2026, it lacks the established history of multi-year ultra-cycling events.[1][3]

[11]

Sources & Citations

Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.

Official Official Websiteen.raceacrossseries.com/race-across-spain-2025
Other Sources Frfr.milesrepublic.com/en/event/race-across-spain-12384
Official Official Websiteen.raceacrossseries.com/blog/une-course-de-vlo-pique-trav...
Other Sources Ultracyclingultracycling.com/calendar/race-across-spain-2025/

Race Across Spain

The Ratings

Train for Race Across Spain

Course Overview

The Course

Racer Reviews

RATE RACE ACROSS SPAIN

Training

Train for Race Across Spain

RACE DEMAND PROFILE

3 WORKOUTS BUILT FOR THIS RACE

GET THE RACE ACROSS SPAIN PREP KIT

Race Logistics

Latest Coverage

Similar Races

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the climate like at Race Across Spain?

How are the logistics for Race Across Spain?

How adventurous is Race Across Spain?

How prestigious is Race Across Spain?

Sources & Citations