Gravel season opener

Last week we said the gravel games were beginning. This weekend was the first proper look at what that means in 2026, with Factor represented at two very different races on two different continents.

In Spain, Santa Vall opened the Gravel Earth Series. In South Africa, The Ceder hosted the first round of the UCI Gravel World Series. Across both events we were in the front of the racing throughout the weekend, and we came away with podiums in both.

Results

The Ceder (South Africa)

• Women: Hayley Preen - 1st

• Men: Felix Stehli - 2nd

• Men: Marc Pritzen - 3rd

Santa Vall (Spain)

• Men: Romain Bardet - 2nd

• Women: Nicole Frain - 4th

Two races, two very different tests

Santa Vall was about as tough as it gets from a conditions point of view. The course was heavy, with mud everywhere, and the river crossings were a constant part of the race rather than a one-off feature. That kind of day forces you to be efficient and practical, not just in how you ride, but in how the bike and equipment behave when it’s repeatedly exposed to water, dirt and impacts. As much as it’s a season opener, it’s also one of those weekends that gives you a lot of information very quickly.

At The Ceder, the racing was different, but the fundamentals were the same: when the pace is high and selection comes early, you see what works when riders are committed and the race is being driven from the front.

OSTRO Gravel leading, ALUTO in the mix

Across the weekend, the OSTRO Gravel was consistently at the sharp end of both races. That’s where we expect it to be, and it was good to see it backed up straight away in very different environments.

It was also good to see the ALUTO being chosen and raced hard. Petr Vakoč and Jonas Lindberg both made it their bike of choice, and both were at the front of the race (Jonas was actually coming for third on the final stage but slid out on the last corner: so close, so far). That matters because it reinforces what we’ve always believed about having purpose-built platforms that serve slightly different needs and styles, rather than one “do everything” answer.

On the prototype (and why we’re not saying much)

Some of you will have seen photos of Romain Bardet and Magnus Bak riding a new prototype in Girona, and we’re aware it’s already been picked up by the media.

What we’ll say for now is simple: it’s in testing, and it was in Girona for feedback, not for announcements. We don’t confirm production details until the work is done, the feedback has been collected, and we’re confident it’s ready. That’s also the main reason Graham Shrive (Factor Chief Engineer) was in Girona for the weekend: to be close to the riders, the setup decisions and the detail you only really get when you’re on the ground while the racing is happening.

Factor Racing Gravel: individuals, but not isolated

This weekend also felt like a real first moment of Factor Racing gravel being “present” as a group, even though the riders are racing individually.

That’s an unorthodox way of doing it in comparison to road, but it’s realistic for modern gravel. These athletes are ultimately expected to race each other, and that won’t change. At the same time, spending time together at races creates a bond, and having that camaraderie isn’t a negative, especially as gravel is increasingly influenced by team tactics and more organised racing.

There will be times when friendships and familiarity help riders read situations, make better decisions, and support each other when it’s needed. And there will be times when they go head-to-head. Both can be true, and it’s part of what makes this side of the sport interesting.

We’ll take the results, take the learnings, and keep building from here.

Photos courtesy of MNSTRY, AMJSportsphotography, and The Ceder Race.