The Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior is quickly becoming a must-watch early-season race, but its ambition to attract cycling's biggest stars faces a significant hurdle: rider schedules and a need for more than just early-season rhythm!
This upcoming Monday, February 16th, the professional cycling peloton will be lining up for the Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior. Now in its fourth year, this Spanish one-day race has already seen the likes of Tadej Pogacar claim victory. For this year's edition, Tom Pidcock is headlining the event, and the organizers are already setting their sights even higher for next year, with the ultimate dream being to lure Mathieu van der Poel, the reigning cyclocross World Champion, to its startlist.
The addition of this gravel-laden race to the early-season calendar has been a resounding success. Its unique gravel sectors offer a distinct challenge that many riders embrace as a serious objective, while others use it as highly specific preparation for the iconic Strade Bianche. It's strategically placed within a block of other Spanish races, making it a valuable part of the early season program.
A Look Back at the Winners:
The race's short history is already marked by some memorable victories. Alexey Lutsenko took the inaugural win in 2022, followed by Tadej Pogacar in 2023, which significantly elevated the race's profile in the cycling world. In 2024, Oier Lazkano delivered a stunning breakaway performance for his win – a victory that now carries a different context following his suspension by the UCI. And just 12 months ago, former World Champion Michal Kwiatkowski achieved a strong comeback victory on these challenging roads.
Even after Pogacar's dominant solo performance, the Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior has maintained its status as a captivating event within the Spanish early-season racing block. This year's edition promises excitement with Tom Pidcock among the starters, alongside the Spanish national champion Iván Romeo, and other strong contenders like Jan Christen, Giulio Pellizzari, and Pello Bilbao.
The Pogacar Puzzle:
However, securing the participation of a rider like Tadej Pogacar in the near future appears unlikely. Race director Pascual Momparler explained in an interview that Pogacar's desire to reduce his racing load this year and spend more time at home is a primary factor. While 2023 was a breakthrough year for the race in attracting top talent, maintaining that level of star power annually is a significant challenge.
Momparler also noted that if Pogacar were to start his season earlier, the UAE Tour would be a more logical choice given his team affiliation. He added, "However, they might change their equipment next year, so if he has new wheels then, our race would be a good test." This highlights how even a rider of Pogacar's caliber is influenced by team strategies and equipment developments.
The Van der Poel Dream:
The race organizers understand the critical importance of clear and consistent communication with riders and their representatives to secure their presence at the start line. Given the race's brief history and its 1.1 UCI ranking, attracting top-tier talent requires more than just a spot on the calendar.
But here's where it gets controversial... In today's professional cycling, top riders are becoming increasingly selective with their schedules, meticulously planning each race day to peak at the right moments for their main objectives – think spring classics for Pogacar or the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France for Jonas Vingegaard. This means that race organizers can no longer rely on riders simply using these events to build race rhythm as they might have in the past.
And this is the part most people miss... Attracting a rider of Mathieu van der Poel's caliber will be an immense challenge, yet Momparler openly admits it's his ultimate goal for the race. Van der Poel, a former gravel World Champion and the current cyclocross king, possesses a level of success and influence in modern cycling that cannot be overstated.
Momparler is prepared to go to great lengths to bring the Alpecin – Deceuninck rider to Jaén in 2027. "I haven't approached Van der Poel yet, but I have good contacts and I know how to negotiate with him," he stated. "Next year, we'll try to make him an interesting and convincing offer, just like we did with Pidcock this year."
What do you think? Is it realistic for a four-year-old race to aim for a rider like Mathieu van der Poel, or is this an overreach? Will the allure of gravel sectors be enough to tempt the biggest names away from their established programs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
