Tadej Pogacar has won it, but Mathieu van der Poel is the dream - Spanish one-day race looks to attract Dutchman to its gravel sectors

This Monday, the 16th of February, the peloton will take on the Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior. The four-year old race has been won by Tadej Pogacar, this year it has Tom Pidcock as its headliner, and next year it aims for no less than cyclocross World Champion Mathieu van der Poel at its startlist.

The addition of the Spanish one-day race to the calendar has been an absolute success, with its many gravel sectors providing for a different early-season challenge; which is used as many riders as a serious goal, and for others as the most specific preparation possible ahead of Strade Bianche - whilst it is included in the middle of other Spanish events that take place in the same time period.

Alexey Lutsenko won the first edition in 2022, and Tadej Pogacar won it back in 2023, bringing the race to the absolute spotlight of the cycling world for a brief period of time. Oier Lazkano won the 2024 edition with a breakthrough breakaway exhibition - which cannot be looked at in the same way now, following his suspension by the UCI - whilst 12 months ago it was former World Champion Michal Kwiatkowski who soared back to have a strong comeback win.

The race has remained a flashy part of the Spanish block of early-season racing even after Tadej Pogacar's solo exhibition, and this time around the startlist will feature Tom Pidcock, Spanish national champion Iván Romeo; and riders such as Jan Christen, Giulio Pellizzari and Pello Bilbao who will be amongst the favourites.

But Tadej Pogacar is a rider that the race is unlikely to see at any point in the near future. "The big problem is that he wants to race less this year and spend more time at home," race director and former Spanish national coach Pascual Momparler said in an interview with Marca. 2023 was a breakthrough year, but it's unrealistic to aim for the same startlist quality on a yearly basis.

"And if he were to start his season earlier, participating in the UAE Tour would be a logical step, because he rides for UAE Emirates and they'd love to have him there too. However, they might change their equipment next year, so if he has new wheels then, our race would be a good test."

The Spaniard was very clear on the necessity of clear and extended communication with the riders and their representatives so as to have them at the start line, as the race has a short history and also a 1.1-ranking - which, although not decisive, definitely plays a role in the race's reputation and importance in the pro cycling scene.

More and more the top riders are incredibly selective with their calendar, hand-picking every single race day during the spring and summer so as to achieve their very best form - in Pogacar's case the spring classics; in Jonas Vingegaard the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France. Hence, the race organizers don't get to benefit as much from riders trying to acquire race rhythm as was the case before.

So attracting a rider like Mathieu van der Poel will be very hard, but Momparler admits that this is his ultimate goal with the race. The Dutchman is a former gravel World Champion and reigning cyclocross world champion, but his success and influence in the modern cycling era cannot be ignored by any figure in the sport.

Momparler admits that he is ready to make some big moves to try and bring in the Alpecin - Premier Tech rider in 2027. "I haven't approached Van der Poel yet, but I have good contacts and I know how to negotiate with him," he explains. "Next year, we'll try to make him an interesting and convincing offer, just like we did with Pidcock this year".