Expecting a demanding day on the bike. This year, the opening round of the Cross-Country Marathon World Cup took place in Calpe, on Spain’s Costa Blanca. 82 kilometers and approximately 2,700 meters of climbing, starting and finishing at the Parc de la Creativitat in Calpe. From the coast, the route would take us deep into the rugged inland hills around Benissa before looping back to the Mediterranean. Standing on the start line that morning, just a short distance from the sea, I felt motivated and focused. At the same time, there was a special kind of excitement. It was the first race of the season and also my first big race with my new team.
The First Climbs. As the course moved away from the coast and into the hills around Benissa, the first real climbs began. These climbs followed gravel roads, forest tracks, and occasionally rougher rocky sections. They weren’t extremely steep, but they were long and steady, which meant the elevation started to accumulate quickly. This is where the race really begins to take shape. Riders start to spread out, everyone finding their own sustainable pace for the long day ahead. With nearly 2,700 meters of climbing in total, it’s important not to push too hard too early. I tried to stay patient, keeping my effort consistent and focusing on fueling and hydration. The technical and feed zones with the team staff went perfectly, which always helps a lot during such a long race. Those moments are brief, but they allow you to reset mentally and keep everything running smoothly.
The Technical Heart of the Course. The central part of the course was probably the most characteristic section of the entire race. Here we entered a network of narrow singletracks typical of Mediterranean terrain. The trails were dry and rocky, often covered with loose gravel, and constantly changing between short climbs and tight descents. This section required full concentration and good bike handling. The trails were sometimes narrow and technical, with sharp turns and rocky passages where choosing the right line made a big difference. Riding smoothly and staying relaxed on the bike was essential to maintain speed without wasting energy. This is also where I really appreciated having my wireless dropper seat post. On technical terrain like this, being able to quickly adjust the saddle height is incredibly helpful. Lowering the saddle before a descent allowed me to move more freely on the bike and stay balanced through rocky corners and rough sections. Because the system is wireless, the adjustment of the LEV Circuit is immediate and effortless. I could drop the saddle for a technical descent and bring it back up instantly for the next climb without interrupting my rhythm. Over the course of a four-hour race, that fluidity really helps maintain efficiency and confidence on the bike.
Back Toward Calpe. Eventually, the course began to lead us back toward Calpe. The final part of the race combined fast gravel descents, technical trails, and a few short but steep climbs that forced everyone to dig deep once again. After several hours on the bike, even small climbs can feel surprisingly hard. At the same time, knowing that the finish line was getting closer gave me extra motivation. The descents in this section were fast and sometimes quite technical, which again made the dropper seat post a real advantage. And when the equipment works perfectly alongside you — like the LEV Circuit wireless dropper seat post that lets you adapt instantly to changing terrain — it simply allows you to focus on the most important thing: riding your best race.
The Finish. When I finally returned to Calpe and approached the finish area at the Parc de la Creativitat, it took a moment for the reality of the situation to sink in. Crossing the line and realizing I had won the first round of the Marathon World Cup was an incredible feeling. At first, I almost couldn’t believe the result. But very quickly, that feeling turned into pure happiness. I was proud of the performance and especially of how I managed the race from start to finish. It felt like a confirmation that the work during the winter, even with the interruptions from sickness, had still built a strong foundation. And yes, LEV Circuit wireless dropper simply delivered 😉
