Badlands 2024

Latest Updates

• 88 days ago
  -

  Badlands 2024: A Triumph of Grit and Strategy in the Spanish Wilderness

  by Guest
• 94 days ago

  Day 3 Recap Video

  by Velocio
• 94 days ago

  First Pairs Finishers!

  by BIKEPACKING.com

  Congrats to Danielle Shrosbree and Bradley Shenton, the first finishers in the pairs category (2d:5h:30m).

  View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Badlands (@badlandscc)
• 94 days ago
  5

  Cara Dixon is First Woman to Finish 2024 Badlands

  by Miles Arbour
• 94 days ago
  3

  Alex Martinez Wins Badlands 2024

  by Logan Watts
• 94 days ago

  Day 2 Recap Video

  by Velocio
• 95 days ago

  Day Two Begins

  by Chris Tonge / Photos by Juanan Barros

  It’s been a long first night here at Badlands with the big part of the field managing to make it to civilization in Gor, where they desperately refueled and hydrated after a very hot Sunday. Most of them spent the night here, although some, ever determined, pushed on into the night up to Calar Alto, The highest point in this year’s edition at 2168 meters.
  
  There were some non finishers in Gor, including most notably Simen Nordahl who was suffering with a terrible saddle sore and Jesse Yates who said his head wasn’t quite in it. As for the leading riders they pushed on and by dawn they were already down on the south coast, where the temperatures were already in the 30s. Alejandro Martínez and Kenneth Karaya have opened up a sizeable lead with Benjamin Koch, Geron Tewes, Maxime Prieur, Sasha Hubert, Cara Dixon and Jake Griffin all following about 20km back. It’s going to be another hot one!

  
• 95 days ago

  Day 1 Recap Video by Velocio

  by Velocio
• 96 days ago

  Day One Recap

  by Chris Tonge / Photos by Juanan Barros

  As the sun begins to set here in Gor on the first day of Badlands 2024, I can only say it’s been extreme out there. The majority of the field is still tackling the famous Gorafe desert loop but the ones that have reached or past the town at the 230km point have all suffered a very very hard day in the saddle.

  

  The first riders started the 90km when the afternoon sun was starting to show its face. Jake Griffin, Rick Steffan, Matthew Bird, Benjamin Koch, and Alejandro Martínez were all pushing the pace but unfortunately two untimely falls on the return section took Rick and Matthew out of the event. Thankfully the injuries weren’t too serious, but neither rider could continue.

  As 6:30 p.m. rolled around, the running order of the front riders had completely changed with Alejandro Martínez leading Jake Steffan, Kenneth Karaya, Sascha Hubbert, and Benjamin Koch. Cara Dixon, Nathalie Baillon, and Svenja Betz weren’t far behind as all the riders rolled into Gor with the same desperate need… water, water…. water. The heat really had taken its toll.
• 96 days ago

  The Badlands Begins!

  by Chris Tonge / Photos by Juanan Barros

  300+ riders lined up at 8:00 am in Granada this morning. The highest international participation in the events history with riders from 39 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Namibia, Colombia, Canada, and Kenya. Women’s participation also reached a new high with 59 riders.

  The first 10km takes the riders out of the historic city of Granada with the first climbs guaranteed to split the field. It’s a hot humid morning here in Granada well the temperatures already around 23c. Today promises mostly sunny weather, reaching a high of 34°C and dropping to a comfortable low of 19°C at night. No rain is anticipated.

  

  After the warm start in Granada, the riders had a cooler ride through the pine forests of Sierra de Huetor. On the fast, smooth gravel tracks that run through this area, many splits quickly formed. A front quartet of riders, including Jake Griffin, Rick Steffan, Matthew Bird, and Alejandro Martínez, began to pull away, with Maxime Prieur following closely.

  In the women’s race, Cara Dixon, Svenja Betz, and Nathalie Schneitter were also quick to open a gap on the rest of the field. At 79km, the front riders finally got a taste of the essence of Badlands as they tackled The Mirador del Fin del Mundo. This iconic climb is only 700m in length but has an average of 15% and a maximum gradient over 25%. From here, the real Badlands begin!
• 98 days ago

  Who to Watch at the 2024 Badlands

  by Miles Arbour

  Once again, the Badlands event has attracted a massive group of riders to Spain to participate. Nearly 300 riders have registered this year. Some riders will try their best to finish, while others will push their limits, hoping for a podium finish.

  We asked the organizers who they think dot watchers should keep an eye on, and they came back with a number of familiar names.

  

  Justinas Leveika (winner and new record holder of the 2024 Tour Divide) is back after a fourth-place finish in 2022.

  Ulrich Bartholmoes (second place at the 2024 Tour Divide, first place at the 2023 Tour Divide, and second place at the 2021 Badlands) is one of the most experienced riders in the field and will certainly be someone to watch.

  Amity Rockwell of the USA has been stacking up several top finishes in gravel events, including a new women’s record at the 2023 Traka and a first-place finish at Unbound Gravel.

  

  Another rider to watch is Cara Dixon of the United Kingdom, who took 10th place overall and 2nd place for the women at the 2023 Badlands, and 4th place at the 2023 TransAtlantic Way.

  Luise Valentin of Denmark took second place at this year’s Migration Gravel Race in Kenya. She only started riding bikes in 2020 and entered her first race in 2021. She has many top finishes, but the Badlands will be one of the longest races she’s ridden.

  Other riders to watch out for include Alejandro Martínez, Nathalie Baillon (2023 SRMR winner), Nathalie Schneitter, Sherry Vivian Cardona, Simen Nordahl, and Svenja Betz.
• 98 days ago
  17

  Rigs of the 2024 Badlands

  by Miles Arbour
• 99 days ago

  Badlands 2024 Course Preview

  by Logan Watts

  This year’s Badlands route runs 791 kilometers with 23,743 meters of elevation gain, similar in scale to the past editions of this incredible event. However, there are several new sections that set it apart. The Gorafe and Tabernas Deserts remain iconic features of the race, with the Gorafe’s winding ridgeline roads that are often used to represent this event in images and video. Here are the details about the course, section by section.

  Section 1: Granada and Sierra de Huétor Natural Park: The course starts with the race out of the historic city of Granada, a challenging climb to the Mirador del Fin del Mundo, and the first contact with the Badlands.

  Section 2: Granada Geopark and Gorafe Desert: The unique landscape of the Granada Geopark with its ravines and badlands, and the iconic Gorafe Desert, known for its low light pollution and night sky observation activities.

  Section 3: Sierra de Baza and Sierra de los Filabres: The highest point of the route at the Calar Alto Observatory, offering stunning views, and the descent of the iconic Alto de Velefique switchbacks.

  Section 4: Cabo de Gata and Costa de Almería: The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, the largest protected coastal area in Europe, with its volcanic formations, fossil beaches, and cliffs. The route also includes popular beaches like Los Genoveses and Mónsul.

  Section 5: Sierra Alhamilla: An arid mountain range offering a contrast to the surrounding desert, with diverse species and classified as a Special Protection Area for Birds. The challenging climb of Collado Colativí is a highlight.

  Section 6: Tabernas Desert: The only desert climate in Europe, featuring unique badlands and ramblas. The area is famous for its appearance in popular films and series. Specific sections of hike-a-bike are necessary due to the challenging terrain.

  Section 7: La Alpujarra: A mountainous region with a strong historical heritage and picturesque villages. This is considered the toughest section of the route with significant elevation gain in a short distance. The finish line is located in the charming village of Capileira.