The Traka 200: Ex road pro Lukas Pöstlberger holds off MTB chasers to win 'biggest gravel race in Europe' as Sofia Gómez Villafañe strikes out for second straight title

Lukas Pöstlberger and Sofía Gómez Villafañe emerged victorious in The Traka 200, widely regarded as the largest gravel race in Europe, held around Girona, Spain. Pöstlberger, a former WorldTour professional, managed to hold off a determined group of mountain bikers in a tense finale to claim the men's title, while Villafañe successfully defended her women's crown, securing back-to-back wins. The event covered 202 kilometres with 2,650 metres of climbing, forming the flagship race of The Traka series and a key fixture in the Gravel Earth Series calendar. The men’s race was characterised by a dramatic battle between road and mountain bike specialists. Pöstlberger launched his decisive move with over 130km remaining and maintained a slender lead despite intense pressure from a chasing pack led by Bryden Lange and the Buff BH duo of Martin Stošek and Wout Alleman. The narrow and technical singletrack in the closing stages proved pivotal, with Pöstlberger clinging to a mere ten-second advantage. The chasers’ inability to collaborate effectively in the final kilometres allowed Pöstlberger to sprint to victory in a time of just over six hours. In the women’s race, Villafañe’s victory mirrored her previous year’s performance, marked by a tactical battle with Larissa Hartog. The pair rode together for much of the race, with Villafañe dropping Hartog on a late climb before extending her lead on the final singletrack section. Villafañe crossed the line more than a minute ahead, with Nele Laing completing the podium after a solo chase. Villafañe reflected on the tactical nature of the race, highlighting the importance of timing her efforts to exploit her rival’s weaknesses on the climbs. The race underscored the growing prominence of gravel racing in Europe, blending elements of road cycling and mountain biking, and attracting a diverse field of elite riders. Pöstlberger’s win demonstrated the value of endurance and tactical nous in this emerging discipline, while Villafañe’s repeat success cemented her status as a dominant figure in women’s gravel racing. Looking ahead, The Traka 200 is poised to maintain its reputation as a premier event, drawing top talent and further raising the profile of gravel racing across the continent.