The gravel scene in Girona has never been bigger. With events such as The Traka or Sea Otter Europe attracting thousands of riders and some of the biggest names in the sport, it would be easy to assume that gravel in the region revolves entirely around large-scale organizations and increasingly competitive racing.

However, last weekend’s Pure Gravel in Bellcaire d’Empordà offered a reminder that there is still another side to the sport.

While smaller in scale, events like Pure Gravel play an equally important role within the cycling ecosystem. They provide a welcoming environment for local riders, showcase lesser-known corners of the region and offer an alternative to the mass-participation races where the pace can often feel intimidating for newcomers.

Same province, different terrain

Taking place in the heart of the Empordà, just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean coastline, Pure Gravel invited participants to discover a landscape that many visitors rarely experience. If it weren’t for the presence of Rustik Empordà as a must coffee stop, even Girona locals would find it hard to justify a route heading in that direction.

The terrain was predominantly flat but far from easy, featuring rough gravel sectors, exposed farm tracks and a succession of short, punchy climbs that gradually accumulated fatigue throughout the day. The challenge became even greater thanks to the weather. The event coincided with the first major heatwave of the summer, forcing the organisation to shorten both routes slightly. Even so, riders still faced demanding distances of 123 km for the Classic route and 73 km for the Sprint, spending hours under relentless sunshine.

What made the event particularly impressive was the size of the team behind it. When we spoke to organiser Rajiv Marroig, he highlighted how proud he was to have delivered the event with such limited resources. Rajiv himself was responsible for route planning and content creation, while his partner Judith coordinated relations with local authorities and handled much of the logistics. The start and finish area was assembled by just two additional people, who later spent the day helping regulate traffic at key intersections along the course.

Not a Sunday at the beach

Around 200 riders gathered in Bellcaire d’Empordà, with approximately 40 opting for the longer Classic distance. For many participants, the event represented an opportunity to explore the region’s extensive network of gravel roads at a relaxed pace. Others, however, couldn’t contain themselves.

At the front of the race, four riders from the Castelli SOG cabal of privateers eventually crossed the finish line together, but that image hardly reflected an easy day on the saddle.

The pace was aggressive from the opening kilometres, with three of them establishing a decisive gap. Meanwhile, Piotr Havik suffered a major setback when he broke his chain less than five kilometres after the start. What followed was one of the rides of the day, as the Dutch rider worked his way back through the field and eventually rejoined the leaders. Despite two members of the front group crashing heavily in the last kilometers, the quartet ultimately regrouped and agreed to cross the line together. Piotr was listed first in the official results ahead of Gustave Orain, Pau Domènech and Benjamin Perry.

True involvement by partner brands

Beyond the racing, the atmosphere was shaped by the strong involvement of Castelli and GUAVA. Both brands embraced the event by bringing ambassadors and scholarship riders of the Cycling Culture Club. Their presence added energy to the weekend and reinforced the community-focused character that the organisers were aiming for.

The now trademark spirits Castelli SOG brought to the finish line complemented a giant paella shared by participants, volunteers and supporters. After hours spent battling heat and dust, it was a fitting reward. And given the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea, it is easy to imagine that many riders swapped their cycling shoes for sandals and headed straight to the beach afterwards.

The overly mentioned “spirit of gravel”

As gravel continues its rapid growth, Pure Gravel serves as an important reminder that bigger does not always mean better. Girona undoubtedly benefits from internationally renowned events, but it also needs grassroots initiatives capable of preserving the local character that made the region attractive to cyclists in the first place.

The future of gravel should not belong exclusively to mass-participation races. There must also be space for events organised by small teams, rooted in their communities and designed around sharing roads, stories and experiences. Judging by the atmosphere in Bellcaire d’Empordà, Pure Gravel has found exactly that balance.