The Town Hall of Priego de Córdoba hosted the presentation of the VII Cycling Challenge of La Subbética 2026 – Diputación de Córdoba Grand Prix. The competition, now a major sporting event in the region, will take place from September 11 to 13.
The presentation included the Councilor for Sports, Antonio Navas, the president of the Cycling Club Challenge La Subbética, Fernando Sánchez, and the team coordinator, Joaquín León. They highlighted the event's growth, combining high-level sport, tourism promotion, and economic impact for La Subbética.
The first stage will start and finish in Priego de Córdoba, making the town a focal point of the inaugural day. It will feature a spectacular approximately four-kilometer unpaved road section known as 'El Estrecho'.
Antonio Navas emphasized the work of the organizing club and the involvement of institutions, the Guardia Civil, local police, town halls, and Civil Protection. He highlighted the Challenge's role in uniting municipalities and the strong public support in previous editions, recalling participants like Juan Ayuso and Benjamín Noval.
Fernando Sánchez confirmed the participation of 23 teams, primarily from the national peloton, along with formations from France and Portugal, giving the competition an international character. Despite some adjustments due to the end of the season, the entry list guarantees a top-level spectacle.
The race retains its nickname 'The Hell of La Subbética' due to the demanding nature of its three stages, covering a total of 310 kilometers with over 6,100 meters of cumulative elevation gain.
Joaquín León noted the event's significance as preparation for the World Championship, with the potential presence of the national coach. He stressed that the Challenge is considered one of the most demanding races on the national calendar.
The competition is expected to generate significant movement of people, benefiting hotels and restaurants in Priego and other towns in the region.
Organizers encourage residents to come out and support the race, which allows riders to continue the next day even if they couldn't complete a stage. The VII Cycling Challenge of La Subbética will take place from September 11 to 13.
