The Vitoria-Gasteiz 70.3 Bike Course: 90 Rolling Kilometers Where the Wind Decides the Race

What to expect

90 km in a single loop through Álava, past villages, open farmland and sections that cross the Camino de Santiago. The profile is rolling, not a climber's course: no long climbs, but punchy kickers, false flats and constant surges. The guides don't agree on elevation gain: one lists roughly 500 m of climbing as an initial estimate to be confirmed, while other sources go up to around 650 m. The difference doesn't change the nature of the course, but it does change your time calculations. The final number will come with the official 2027 map: use it as soon as it's out and recalculate your targets.

The real opponent: the wind

The Álava countryside is exposed. On windy days the bike leg gets far harder than the elevation gain suggests, and the course guides flag the open sections as the critical point of the course. Two practical takeaways. First: train your aero position in crosswinds, and if you're not used to it, skip the deep-section front wheel. Second: accept that your average speed will swing a lot between tailwind and headwind sections. Don't chase the average on your head unit: chase power or perceived effort.

Pacing: the first-30-km rule

You'll come out of a swim in calm fresh water, no currents or chop, so your legs will be fresh. The early kickers will tempt you to push. Don't. On a rolling course, the cost of surges above threshold gets paid in full during the half marathon, run in the heat of the city center with highs listed in one guide of up to 33°C. Concrete targets: if you ride with a power meter, keep surges below roughly 110% of your target average power and recover over the top instead of punching it again right away. If you're riding by feel: if you're gasping at the top of a kicker, you overdid it. For a sub 5:30 goal, the bike split is worth about 2:50; for a relaxed finisher, 3:15 is an honest benchmark. Better to lose 3 minutes on the bike than 15 on the run.

Gearing and equipment

With 500-650 m of climbing spread over 90 km you don't need mountain gearing, but an 11-30 or 11-32 cassette lets you ride the kickers seated, at high cadence, without power spikes. Mid-depth wheels are a good compromise between aerodynamics and crosswind handling. Carry two bottles: the July heat makes the aid stations important, but the exact location and number of aid stations haven't been confirmed for 2027 yet and need checking in the official athlete guide. Don't plan your nutrition around aid stations you haven't verified.

What to do now

• Key test: a 2:30-3h long ride on rolling terrain, final 40 minutes at race pace, followed by a 20-30 minute progression run. If the run falls apart afterward, your bike race pace is too high.
• Wind training: deliberately pick windy days and stay in your aero position. It's a skill, not luck.
• Equipment choice: lock in your cassette and wheels at least a month out and race on what you've tested.
• As soon as the 2027 map drops: verify actual elevation gain, exposed sections and aid stations, then update your power plan.

A course like this rewards steady riders and punishes anyone who surges on every kicker. The race is won, or lost, in your head in the first 30 km.