Orbea Rioja Alavesa Wine Gravel 2026

The Orbea Rioja Alavesa Wine Gravel begins and concludes in Laguardia, situated within the Rioja Alavesa wine region of the Basque Country. This gravel cycling event, sponsored by Orbea, focuses on riding through vineyard landscapes instead of a typical road race course. The inaugural edition was scheduled for October, lending the event an autumnal atmosphere in an area closely associated with the wine harvest season. The organizers present the ride as a passage through wine history, which suits the location: Rioja Alavesa features a landscape dotted with wineries, historic villages, and country tracks. The concept originated from a discussion among current and former professional cyclists, pelotaris, and cycling enthusiasts in Euskadi, fueled by local wine. They recognized Laguardia and its surroundings as an ideal setting for gravel riding, where varied surfaces and wine country routes could define the event's character.