Preview: Challenge Mallorca 2026 - Evenepoel starts with climbing races and team time trial

Route

The format of the Challenge Mallorca is a series of five one-day races, which used to count towards an overall classification. Since 2009, this is no longer the case: nowadays it is an umbrella event of five separate one-day races. Riders do not need to start all five days. Their teams can decide who to deploy in which race.

And there is plenty to choose from. Although most racing takes place in the Serra de Tramuntana, the mountain range in the northwest of Mallorca, the five-day event also includes the traditional sprinters' stage finishing in the capital Palma — and new this year — a team time trial. There has never before been a TTT in Challenge Mallorca. The organizer’s idea: to attract bigger names ahead of the Tour de France, which this year also begins with a team time trial. We will see if that plan succeeds.

Trofeo Calvía

The opening day of Challenge Mallorca features a mountainous race with over 2,800 meters of elevation gain. The Trofeo Calvía is never really flat, but the toughest part comes in the first 100 kilometers. This section includes two ascents of the Coll den Claret (from both sides) and the Coll de Sóller (7.5 km at 4.4%).

In the last 40 kilometers, three short climbs follow: Es Grau (4.1 km at 4.4%), Coll de Sa Gramola (3.8 km at 4.2%) and a hill up to Es Capdellà (2.6 km at 5.2%). After that final uphill stretch, it's about 16 kilometers to the finish in Palmanova.

Trofeo Ses Salines

In 2025, the Trofeo Ses Salines was still a relatively flat one-day race, finishing in a bunch sprint and won by Marijn van den Berg. This year, we will see a completely different race. The sprint stage has been transformed into a 26-kilometer team time trial. This TTT runs from Ses Salines to Colonia de Sant Jordi, at the southernmost tip of Mallorca.

The organizers describe it as a “non-technical route.” Looking at the route map, we can understand why. The course has only two corners, one turnaround point, and three roundabouts that can be taken at high speed. They have chosen a relatively simple route due to “the time of year and the chance of rain,” they say. "We do not want to take unnecessary risks."

The teams will also not face any tough climbs on the course. Just before the finish in Sant Jordi, there's a one-kilometer climb averaging about 3%, but that won’t bother anyone. The power riders can give it their all for 26 kilometers.

Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana

On day three of the Mallorca Challenge comes the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana, held on the northern half of the island. The race is a bit different from last year, but it still includes Mallorca’s highest climb, the Coll Puig Major (4.9 km at 5.6%). Before Puig Major, there is also the Coll de Femenia (7.7 km at 5.5%).

After the two climbs in the middle of the stage, the peloton will likely already be shattered. There are then two more climbs in the final sixty kilometers: first the Coll Sóller (8.9 km at 5.3%), and in the finale, the Coll de sa Batalla (8.4 km at 4.9%). The decisive moment will surely come on this last climb.

Traditionally, the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana is the toughest race of Challenge Mallorca, so a strong climber is expected to take the win.

Trofeo Andratx-Pollença

Those who did not shine in the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana get a second chance in the Trofeo Andratx-Pollença. The first 90 kilometers are fairly manageable despite climbing the Coll de sa Gramola (5.1 km at 5.2%) and the Coll de Claret (3.7 km at 5%), but after that, it gets really tough. Saturday features the long side of the Coll Puig Major (14.3 km at 5.9%).

After Puig Major, it will be a cat-and-mouse game between the riders ahead and the chasers behind. Arriving in Pollença, differences may still be forced, as the finish comes on the Mirador d’es Colomer (3 km at 6.3%).

Trofeo Palma

Traditionally, the Challenge Mallorca ends with the Trofeo Palma, starting and finishing in the island’s main city. The race kicks off just southeast of the city, after which the riders head over 100 kilometers into the interior. This section offers little elevation gain. A bunch sprint is therefore the expected scenario after four laps along Palma de Mallorca’s boulevard.

Favorites (Trofeo Ses Salines, TTT)

The start list for the Trofeo Ses Salines is not complete yet. Still, we can already point to the favorite for the team time trial on day two: Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. The German team will field both Tour de France leaders Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz. For them, the TTT will primarily be a test ahead of Saturday, July 6, when the Tour starts with a team time trial in Barcelona, but you can bet they also want to win in Mallorca.