Baselayer Challenge Cerdanya 2026

A WILD DAY RIDING THROUGH LA CERDANYA

140 riders showed up ready to take on one of the most epic cycling playgrounds out there. La Cerdanya didn’t disappoint: remote backroads, quiet climbs, endless green valleys, and those big mountain peaks sitting there the whole time as if they were daring you to come up and earn the view.

But first, meet Pep Boatella, the illustrator who gave this year's edition its identity.

THE ARTIST BEHIND BASELAYER CERDANYA 2026

Pep Boatella is an illustrator who turns landscapes into emotion. With a distinctive style and a deep connection to nature, his work goes beyond visuals, telling stories that draw you into the essence of the places he portrays.

SHAPING THE IDENTITY OF THE CHALLENGE

For this edition of the Baselayer Challenge, his illustration is born from a very local Cerdanya idea: when you ride here, not everything is up to you it’s also the landscape that opens the way, the life that was already here before you arrived, and an environment that reminds you, with every pedal stroke, that you’re part of something bigger.

And with that identity in mind, the day kicked off.

Every climb had its own character. Some were steady grinders, others bit a little harder, but every single one was worth it. You’d roll around a corner and suddenly be met with massive landscapes, open skies, and pure mountain vibes. The kind of riding where you forget everything else and just lock into the road ahead.

BIG EFFORTS, SMOOTH OPS, AND RIDERS WHO SHOWED UP RIGHT

The Baselayer Challenge Cerdanya wasn’t just about the legs, it was about the whole experience. Riders pushed themselves all day long, digging deep on the climbs and never really backing off. But what stood out just as much was the vibe, people were out there to ride hard, enjoy it, and soak it all in.

Feed zones were dialed in perfectly, quick stops, good energy, everything you needed to fill the tank and get rolling again. And on top of that, everyone showed real respect for the environment and the towns along the route. No shortcuts, no mess, just riders doing things the right way.

AFTER A FULL-ON CERDANYA CELEBRATION, GIRONA IS NEXT

Once the last kilometers were ticked off, everything shifted into celebration mode. Post-ride lunch, cold beers, riders hanging out, swapping stories, laughing about the toughest climbs and the good moments. That mix of tired legs and big smiles says it all.

And this is just continuing...