Spanish rider David Valero won the European Bike Marathon Championship in Ramales de la Victoria. The Klimatiza Orbea rider finished ahead of Gioele de Cosmo and Ihor Lukasik in the race held in high temperatures.
Valero covered the 74 kilometres and 3,000 metres of positive elevation in three hours and 45 minutes. The Andalusian, runner-up in 2024, attacked on the final climb and crossed the line almost a minute and a half ahead of Italian Gioele de Cosmo. Polish rider Ihor Lukasik took third place.
Before stepping onto the podium, Valero said the course suited him. “This is so authentic, real mountain bike, and at home, that I love it. I was second in 2024, and it was my turn to be first”, he stated. The 37-year-old, Olympic bronze medallist in XCO in 2020, now races in the marathon category after leaving Olympic cross country.
In the women’s race, Swiss rider Anna Weinbeer won by four and a half minutes over Spaniard Natalia Fischer, who took silver.