La Legendaria Gran Fondo 2026

The route

La Legendaria Gran Fondo is a debut event starting from Ontinyent, a town in the Valencian interior in the Alt Vinalopó. Two distances are available: 175 km and 151 km. The event's proposition is to reveal a territory that very few cyclists from outside the region know: the Serra de Mariola, the Benicadell, and the cols between the comarcas of L'Alcoià, El Comtat, and La Vall d'Albaida. This is the authentic Valencian and Alicante interior, far from the coastal tourist circuit.

The 175 km links several cols between 600 and 900 m in a route that never really flattens out: there are few sustained level sections and the terrain climbs and descends continuously between the interior comarcas. The Serra de Mariola has a distinctive botanical identity, with aromatic herbs, pine, and almond terraces on the slopes. The Benicadell (1,104 m), on the border between Valencia and Alicante, is the highest point and offers cross-views into both provinces that justify the effort. The 151 km cuts slightly but keeps the essential character of the route.

Wind in the Valencian interior in May comes primarily from the east: sea breeze off the Mediterranean that enters through the inter-comarca passes and follows the coast-facing valleys. Valleys pointing towards the sea channel this breeze in the mornings and can produce a 15-25 km/h headwind on SE-facing climbs. The inter-comarca passes, running perpendicular to the coast, are the most exposed points: SE crosswind at 15-25 km/h is expected on active breeze days. Tighter sections between mountains are more sheltered. Temperatures between 18 and 25°C are very comfortable for riding.

Ontinyent is 80 km from Valencia and 65 km from Alicante by road, with reasonable train connections from both cities. It is a town with some industrial history and a well-established Moors and Christians festival. As a debut edition, the sportive has the appeal of being part of something from the beginning: the first riders of what could become a long-running event.

Variants and GPX

Past editions

Real Open-Meteo weather on each edition day.

How to register

Registration, price and rules are on the official website of the organization. Official march website →

More information

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