Klassmark, the organizer of the Girona-based gravel cycling event The Traka, has announced a significant restructuring of its 2027 race program, centering the professional competitive field exclusively on a new 300km distance. The move eliminates the long-distance Traka 560, previously known as The Traka Adventure, to consolidate elite racing and streamline event operations from April 30 to May 2, 2027.
The decision follows feedback from professional athletes regarding the dilution of elite fields across multiple race distances in previous years. By concentrating the pro category into a single, high-stakes 300km event, organizers aim to create a more selective, competitive, and safe environment for professional cyclists. While age-group competitors will still be permitted to enter the 300km race, the pro category will be strictly limited to a total of 200 riders across both men’s and women’s fields.
Consolidating Professional Gravel Competition
The 2027 edition of The Traka marks a departure from the multi-distance elite competition model that characterized previous years. In prior iterations, professional cyclists were split between different race lengths, a structure that many athletes argued reduced the intensity and prestige of the individual podiums. According to organizers, the new format is designed to reinforce the identity of each distance while offering a more powerful experience for the entire gravel community.
The event will now feature three primary distances: 100km, 200km, and 300km. The Traka 200 is scheduled for Friday, April 30, followed by the centerpiece Traka 300 on Saturday, May 1. The Traka 100 will round out the three-day program. By removing the 560km distance, which historically mirrored the format of the Unbound Gravel XL race in Kansas, the organizers are focusing their logistical resources on the three core events.
This shift directly addresses concerns raised by participants during the 2026 season, particularly regarding the logistical challenges of managing large amateur fields alongside elite riders. Reports from last year highlighted instances of congestion, specifically when amateur riders started ahead of the elite women’s field during the longer, 360km distance, leading to race-day complications.
Registration and Selection Process
Access to the 2027 event will be managed through a tiered registration system. Priority access for the 200km and 100km distances opens on July 14, 2027, at 12:00 CEST. To qualify for this early window, riders must have previously participated in the “large” distance categories at either the Gravel Desert or Ranxo Gravel events. Additionally, individuals with confirmed entries for the 2027 Santa Vall or the 220km/160km distances at the upcoming “the River” event on September 6, 2025, are eligible for priority status. General registration for the 300km event opens on July 16, 2027, with no priority entry options available.
For the professional category in the 300km race, organizers are moving toward a selection-based entry process. This change is intended to ensure the quality of the field, though organizers have noted that holding priority status does not guarantee a reserved spot or automatic registration for any participant.
Organizational Changes in Girona
Beyond the race distances, Klassmark is initiating a broader overhaul of the event’s management structure. This includes a planned expansion of branding and expo opportunities at the Girona start/finish venue. The organization also confirmed that a new race director will be appointed to oversee the 2027 edition, replacing the existing leadership as part of a wider effort to improve safety, participant care, and overall operational efficiency.
This renewal of race direction is intended to strengthen the sporting structure of the event, which has served as a key anchor for the Gravel Earth Series. As the organization prepares for the 2027 transition, further announcements regarding the new management team and specific qualification criteria for the pro field are expected in the coming months. Interested participants are encouraged to monitor the official The Traka website for updates on registration opening times and potential changes to the event schedule.