Grand Départ · July 2026
Three days. The opening salvo. Girona.
Ride the roads of the 2026 Grand Départ from the spiritual home of the modern pro peloton — bike, support, and a group already waiting for you.
The premise
Real roads. Real week. Real group.
The opening weekend of the season's biggest race deserves more than a hotel and a hire bike. Ride The Race puts you on the actual roads, with the actual people who train on them year-round. From a sunrise rollout through the Empordà to a black-coffee debrief at La Fábrica, this is the Grand Départ as the pros experience it — only the kit is yours, and the conversation in the café is in your accent.
Day by day
The route.
Distances and elevations are guides — every day has a longer and shorter option, and the support van is never far.
- Day01
Rollout — Els Àngels Loop
An 80km warm-up over Girona's signature climb to shake off the flight legs.
We meet at the ESC hub for a fit, coffee, and a relaxed roll out east of the city. The Els Àngels climb is the pros' first test of the season, every season — 10km of steady gradient with views back over the Empordà plain. We descend the quiet side, regroup at a roadside fountain, and spin home along the river. Lunch at La Fábrica. Optional shakeout in the afternoon.
Open in RideWithGPS →82km950m climbingRWGPS · 12345678 - Day02
Queen Stage — Rocacorba
The climb that built a generation of Grand Tour winners.
Rocacorba is the climb pros use to measure form. We ride it at your pace, in your group, with the support car never more than a kilometre away. Fresh fruit and bidons at the summit. The descent rolls through the medieval village of Pujarnol before we loop back through wine country to Girona for an early dinner.
Open in RideWithGPS →105km1850m climbingRWGPS · 12345679 - Day03
Coast Day — Costa Brava
Down to the sea, espresso in Sa Tuna, then home the back way.
The reward ride. We trace the coast road through pine forest and granite coves, drop into Sa Tuna for second breakfast, and roll the rolling backroads home. Recovery beers at Hors Catégorie. You hand the bike back happier, tireder, and with a group chat full of new friends.
Open in RideWithGPS →95km1100m climbingRWGPS · 12345680
What’s in the box
Includes
- 3-day premium road bike hire
- Helmet, pedals, bottles, tools
- Welcome briefing & group dinner
- 2x guided/supported rides
- Mechanical support on rides
- Ride leader & photographer
- Digital route pack (GPX + RWGPS)
Why this trip
Highlights
- 01Premium carbon road bike from the ESC Girona hub
- 02Two supported group rides with a local ride leader
- 03Closed-road sectors used by WorldTour pros
- 04A built-in group of like-minded riders — solo travellers welcome
- 05Café stops at Girona's legendary cycling spots
- 06Optional kit hire, GPS computers, and ride photography
Ready when you are
Reserve your
place on the start line.
Trips run small. Bookings open now — bike-only or full experience, your call.