The 2026 Hero UCI Marathon World Cup Kicks off on the Costa Blanca

The countdown has officially started - the Hero Costa Blanca is readying everything for its debut in the Valencian region, more precisely in the province of Alicante. Just a month to go until the first stage of the 2026 Hero UCI Cross-Country Marathon World Cup scheduled for Saturday, 21 February in the Spanish city of Calpe.

Everyone is looking forward to the first edition to see the race route up close: it boats 82 km and 2,700 hm, and it will test the cyclists’ physical condition as well as their technique on single tracks running between Calpe and Benissa. There will be 160 participants competing on the qualifying route for the Hero UCI Marathon World Cup hailing from 25 different countries.

VIDEO Costa Blanca UCI Cross-Country Marathon World Cup

The kick-off will take place at the Parc de la Creativitat, with the Elite Men starting at 8:00, followed by the Women in the same category at 8:10. The amateurs from the Master category will push off at 8:20 and they will be able to choose from the Elite’s “long” course or a 50-km track boasting 1,400 hm - ideal for those cyclists who, in February, still haven’t got their legs in fighting shape for such long distances.

The first cyclists of the Elite Men should arrive in Calpe around 12:00, followed by the Elite Women and the Master categories. The Hero Costa Blanca winners will be celebrated during the Flower Ceremony at 13:15.

While the adults are battling it out on the hills and climbs of the Costa Blanca, the Organising Committee has organised an event for the Heroes of the future – the Hero Kids Costa Blanca. The “race” will take place on Saturday, 21 February, at 9:30. A great way of ensuring the younger cyclists get to experience the thrill and beauty of mountain biking.

The official programme will start on Thursday, 19 February, with the Hero Village opening its doors to both participants and fans between 14:00 and 17:00. The Village will reopen on Friday, 20 February between 10:00 and 17:00; on that very same day, the 2026 UCI XCM Teams will have their official presentation, followed by the Hero Race Talk at 16:00. High-level athletes will take the floor to share their impressions in the run-up to the series’ first stage. 

INFO: Hero UCI Marathon World Cup

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