The Traka
The European gravel benchmark. 100 / 200 / 360 km through the Costa Brava interior, organised by Klassmark.
The race
The Traka is the European gravel benchmark. From its base in Girona, it traces a route through stony tracks, dry riverbeds and forest trails of the Costa Brava interior. There are three distances — 100, 200 and 360 km — so each cyclist can choose their own level of suffering. The 200 accumulates close to 3,300 m of elevation and takes 7-10 real hours.
What makes it hard
- Irregular surface: loose rocks, deep gravel and technical descents punish those who have not trained on mixed terrain.
- Heat: the start is early but the last 4 hours are raced with the sun high, in sections with no shade or water support.
- Elite density: the front peloton includes WorldTour pros and international gravel specialists. The pace pressure from km 0 has fried more than a few before km 100.
- Mental logistics: 200 km of gravel translates to 7-10 hours. Keeping clean decisions in hour 8 is a trainable skill.
How we prepare you
The programme structures the 3 months before with a single objective: that you arrive in Girona with the aerobic base, the neuromuscular power on gravel and the race plan you need to not break in hour 6. We work solid-liquid nutrition hour by hour, cadence on long false flats, and 6-7h simulations on analogous terrain.
Limited spots per edition. If your goal is to finish well or compete for a position in your category, apply.
How we prepare you
for The Traka.
3 months of PUSH TRAINING 360 — periodised training, race-specific nutrition and sports psychology — designed so you arrive in Girona with the fitness, the mindset and the plan this race demands.
Going to race it?
Prepare it with a programme designed by endurance cyclists, not a generic PDF.
Questions about The Traka
How many distances does The Traka 2027 offer?
Three distances: 100, 200 and 360 km. The 360 accumulates more than 6,000 m of elevation and is the flagship event; the 200 is the balance between demanding and achievable; the 100 is the entry point into elite gravel.
What FTP do I need to finish the Traka 200 in a reasonable time?
From 3.0 W/kg of FTP you can complete the 200 with margin. Below 2.8 W/kg race time exceeds 10 hours and mental difficulty grows exponentially. For the 360, the reasonable floor is 3.3 W/kg.
When is The Traka 2027 and when does registration open?
The 2027 edition is scheduled for May. Registration typically opens in the autumn of the previous year and sells out within hours. If you want to race it, have your account ready on thetraka.com on opening day.
Is it technical gravel or can you race it on any bike?
It is demanding gravel with broken sections, loose rocks and technical descents. The recommended bike is a race gravel with 45-50 mm tubeless tyres. A hardtail MTB works but you lose time on long false flats.
What is the average temperature during the race?
Cool start (12-15°C) and high-noon sun (28-32°C). The last 4 hours are raced in real heat. Hydration and sodium are as important as power.
How many calories are burned in the Traka 200?
Between 5,000 and 6,500 kcal depending on weight and pace. No cyclist can ingest that volume of carbohydrates in real time. Trained metabolic efficiency during the preceding months is what makes the difference.
What aid stations are there in The Traka?
Four or five official aid stations in the 200, spaced roughly every 40-50 km. Fluid, gels and bars. For a competitive finishing time it is worth carrying private top-ups — the official ones get congested when the front packs come through.
How many weeks of preparation do I need for The Traka 200?
Twelve structured weeks if you already have a solid aerobic base. If you are coming off a break or have never done an event longer than 8 hours, multiply by two. Below 12 weeks there is not enough time to periodise load, intensity and tapering.