David Valero wins the sprint against Nino Schurter and takes the victory at the Utopía Gravel 2026

The Utopia Gravel 2026 has lived up to everything it promised. The presence of figures like Nino Schurter, David Valero, and Alejandro Valverde raised the level of the Granada event, and the development of the race confirmed that it was not just a matter of names. There was pace, selection, and a conclusion that was decided in the final meters.

David Valero wins at home after beating Schurter in the Utopia Gravel

The long distance of 165 kilometers concentrated all the favorites, and from the very first moments, a leading group formed with Nino Schurter, David Valero, Tiago Ferreira, and Alejandro Valverde. The atmosphere might have seemed controlled, but the pace never let up.

The course, with 2,800 meters of positive elevation, progressively hardened the race until it definitively selected the leaders. As the kilometers passed, only three names remained at the front. Valero, Schurter, and Valverde were left alone in the fight for victory.

The equality among the three was maintained until the end, and everything was resolved at the finish line. David Valero prevailed in the sprint by just half a wheel over Nino Schurter, in a very tight finish. Alejandro Valverde completed the podium after giving way in that final effort.

 

 

 

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Schurter himself valued the race after crossing the finish line, highlighting both the level of the rivals and the course:

“It has been a very beautiful race, the Utopia in Spain, in Andalusia. I had to fight with my friend from many years ago in the World Cup, Valero. It was nice; we were together the whole race. And also Valverde. It was a very good group. In the end, we reached the sprint, and I was second. Valero first and Valverde third."

Olivia Hottinger dominates in the women's race

In the women's race, the victory went to Olivia Hottinger, a SCOTT rider, who managed to break away solo and cross the finish line in first position without opposition.

Behind her, British rider Lizzie Hermolle secured second place, while Sophie Johnson completed the podium in third position.

The Utopia Gravel thus confirms its growth within the international calendar. A stage where figures from different disciplines not only share the start but also compete head-to-head until the last meter.