ALE Cycling Gandía

ALE Cycling Gandía is a road-cycling gran fondo that starts and finishes in Gandía, on Spain’s Valencian coast. The most recent edition, the tenth, was held on Saturday 18 April 2026, with the start at 8:00 am.

Routes and distances

The route leaves Gandía and heads inland through the comarcas of La Safor, El Comtat, La Vall d’Albaida and La Costera, on quiet, low-traffic roads. In the 2026 edition the course featured four climbs: the Llacuna pass, a timed climb at Beniarrés, the Benigànim pass (the easiest of the four) and the Alto de Pla de Corrals. The organiser’s page did not list distance or elevation figures, so check the official site for the details of each edition.

Registration

For the 2026 edition, entries were capped at 800 riders and the fee rose in stages, from €50 for early registrations (jersey included) to €60 in the final weeks. Duo and group (5–6 riders) rates were also offered. Only licences issued by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) were valid, and time-trial and triathlon bikes were not allowed. The date and registration details of the next edition have not been announced yet. Follow the official website for news.

Why ride it

The event combines a Mediterranean start with a route that quickly moves into hilly country, and it includes a timed climb for riders who want to measure themselves against others. Its limited field and its spring date in the Valencian Community make it a popular early-season outing for road cyclists.

Where to stay

With a start in Gandía and an early-morning roll-out, sleeping close to the coast the night before means no pre-dawn transfers, an easy bib collection and a short spin to the start line. The seafront at Playa de Gandía is only a few kilometres from the start, and the resorts further south along the Safor coast are still within easy reach. After the climbs of La Safor and La Vall d’Albaida, a pool, spa or massage room is a welcome way to recover.

VS Gandía Palace Hotel – Playa de Gandía, about 5 km from the start. Holder of the Cycling Friendly Gold certification, it has a dedicated Bike Zone that is enclosed, video-monitored and able to hold 74 bikes, with private boxes for groups. Tools, a bike wash, laundry, a spa and massage are on the list, so your machine is race-ready and your legs are looked after.

Villa Luz Family Gourmet & All Exclusive Hotel – Playa de Gandía, about 5 km from the start. A Cycling Friendly Silver hotel next to the beach, it provides safety bike hangers, furniture with specific tools, repair stands, washing stands and air pumps. Its restaurants will adapt to special requests, handy for pre-ride fuelling, and heated outdoor pools and jacuzzis help tired legs afterwards.

Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort – Oliva, about 13 km from the start. This four-star beachfront resort is Cycling Friendly Silver and the official host of the Alberto Contador Gran Fondo. It offers bike rental, repair tools, a bike wash, guided tours, luggage transport, picnic options, a Technogym fitness room and a spa with massage cabins, plus classic climbs such as Coll de Rates and Vall d’Ebo close by.

Hotel ASA La Marina – Ondara, about 25 km from the start. A modern four-star hotel with a fully equipped cycling centre, a closed and supervised bike box with tools, a washing area, a restricted-access security room and bikes for hire. It also offers GPS routes through the Cycling Friendly app and a buffet breakfast, a good choice if you would like to add a few days on the Costa Blanca around the event.

Spaces fill quickly on gran fondo weekends, so book early once the next date is confirmed, and browse more cycling-friendly accommodation in the area.