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Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana gets underway today in La Nucía with star-studded peloton

 

La Nucia / 25 January 2026

 

The Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 begins today in La Nucía, marking the official start of the UCI European road cycling calendar.

 

The race will set off at 12:15 pm from the Camilo Cano Olympic Stadium, with the Estadi Olímpic de La Nucía hosting the official start of this prestigious UCI 1.1 one-day event. The 199.5 km route will take the peloton from La Nucía to Valencia, where the race is expected to conclude at approximately 5:15 pm on Avenida de Francia.

 

This 42nd edition brings together a peloton of 160 riders from 18 teams, including six WorldTour teams: Bahrain Victorious, Movistar Team, Jayco AlUla, XDS Astana, Lidl-Trek and Soudal Quick-Step.

 

From 11:00 am, fans are able to enjoy the team sign-on and presentations at the Olympic Stadium, with free access allowing spectators to see the riders up close and take photographs before the race begins.

 

Sprint stars and local talent

Among the leading contenders are renowned sprinters Dylan Groenewegen and Giovanni Lonardi, both former winners of the race, alongside Paul Magnier, Bryan Coquard, Iván García Cortina, and cycling legend Nairo Quintana.

 

Local riders will also be in the spotlight, with Manuel Peñalver (Torrevieja) and Héctor Álvarez (Benidorm) lining up on home roads and hoping to capitalise on a sprint finish.

The fastest riders in the peloton will be targeting the first major European sprint victory of the season, as the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana once again offers an ideal platform for the world’s top speed specialists.

 

A revamped route and iconic climbs

The 2026 route places renewed emphasis on the inland areas of the provinces of Alicante and Valencia, featuring the iconic Coll de Rates climb early in the race. This combination of demanding terrain and a fast finish promises an exciting and competitive day of racing.

Live coverage

 

The peloton will depart La Nucía at 12:15 pm, heading immediately towards Coll de Rates. Live coverage of the final part of the race will be available via the organiser’s official YouTube channel, with the broadcast starting at 2:30 pm.

 

A race with deep roots in La Nucía

Since its return in 2021 after a 16-year absence, the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 has remained closely linked to La Nucía, hosting the start or finish of the race every year. The 2026 edition represents the sixth edition of the modern era and the 42nd edition overall of this historic competition.