Girona: The Unofficial Capital of World Road Cycling

Girona, an ancient city in Spain’s Catalonia region with a population of just around 100,000, is nevertheless one of the cities with the highest density of road cyclists in the world. From Chris Froome to Rigoberto Urán, from Simon Yates to Tadej Pogačar (during training periods), numerous world-class professional cyclists call this place home.

Why Girona?

Geographic Advantages

A Cycling Paradise

Girona’s location is almost perfect:

• 30 minutes of riding to the Mediterranean coast, allowing you to ride to the beach
• About 60 minutes to the Pyrenees, enabling high-mountain climbing training
• A vast array of routes of varying difficulty nearby, from flat roads to steep climbs

Main Cycling Routes

Rocacorba: Girona’s most famous climb, 10.5 km at an average gradient of 6.5%, the go-to segment for pros to test their form

Els Àngels: A more gradual climb, also suitable for night rides

Costa Brava coastline: Beautiful flat routes along the Mediterranean, ideal for long-distance training

Climate Conditions

Month	Average Temperature	Riding Conditions
Jan-Feb	8-12°C	Occasional cold snaps, but usually rideable
Mar-May	15-22°C	Best riding season
Jun-Aug	28-35°C	Hot, but early starts are possible
Sep-Nov	15-25°C	Second-best riding season
Dec	10-15°C	Cool, occasional rain

Compared to many European training locations, Girona offers more than 300 rideable days per year.

Lifestyle and Amenities

A Complete Cycling Ecosystem

Girona has developed a full ecosystem for professional cyclists:

Bike shops: Several top-tier bike shops, including Bicicletes Tèxtil, capable of handling high-end carbon frames

Physiological testing: Multiple sports science centers offering VO2max testing, Bike Fitting, and other services

Restaurants: Several restaurants catering to athletes’ dietary needs, offering high-carb, high-protein meals

Famous Café: Espresso Mafia

Girona is home to a renowned cycling-culture café, Espresso Mafia, where professional cyclists can be seen having breakfast almost every day. It is one of the easiest places in the world to run into pro riders.

Why Do Pro Cyclists Choose Girona?

Based on interviews with numerous professional cyclists, the main reasons include:

1. Low cost of living: Compared to Monaco or Switzerland, living expenses in Girona are much lower
2. Proximity to race zones: Major races in Spain and France are within short flight distances
3. Good climate: Outdoor riding is possible almost year-round
4. Community effect: The clustering of pro cyclists creates a positive feedback loop—the more who choose it, the more who follow

A Girona Pilgrimage for Taiwanese Riders

How to Plan

Getting there:

• Fly to Barcelona (BCN), then take a train about 1 hour to reach Girona
• Alternatively, fly directly to Girona Airport (GRO), served by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair

Accommodation:

• Several boutique hotels and Airbnb options in the city center
• Recommended to stay in the old town for convenient access to bike shops

Bike rental:

• Multiple bike rental shops in the city
• Recommended to bring your own pedals and saddle, and rent a complete bike

Taking on Rocacorba

Rocacorba is the quintessential Girona experience:

• Distance: 10.5 km
• Elevation gain: 750 m
• Pro reference time: Approximately 28-32 minutes
• Amateur goal: 45-60 minutes

Conclusion

Girona is the story of a small city that accidentally became a global phenomenon. There was no deliberate marketing, no government planning—it simply came down to superior riding conditions, amplified by the ripple effect of the first pro cyclists settling there, ultimately making it the unofficial capital of world road cycling. If you can only pick one place to ride in Europe, Girona is almost the perfect answer.

Related Reading

• Girona Cycling Paradise: The Complete Guide to Spanish Pros’ Training Mecca
• European Pro Team Training Bases: A Report on Training Facilities in Spain, Portugal, and Kenya
• High-Altitude Riding in Colombia: Ultimate Climbing Training in the Land of Coffee and Clouds
• Mallorca: The Secret Training Base of European Pro Teams