The Women Cycling Pro Costa de Almeria, set to host its fourth edition, has been cancelled following a decision by the UCI to withdraw the race from its official calendar. The announcement was made by organisers in a statement, citing “issues in the previous two editions” as the primary reason behind the governing body’s move.
Concerns about the race had surfaced earlier when only 10 teams were registered to compete, with an estimated small total of 60 to 70 riders expected to line up โ far below the minimum requirement of 90 for a 1.1-category race. However, the organisers clarified in their message that the insufficient entries were not the direct cause of the cancellation.
“With great regret, we write to inform you of the cancellation of the 4th edition of the Women Cycling Pro Costa de Almeria. This difficult decision has been made due to the detection of issues in the previous two editions, which has led the UCI to remove our event from its official calendar,” read part of the statement.
The race, which had become a key fixture in the regional cycling calendar, faced challenges in the wake of organisational issues identified in its past iterations. The organisers acknowledged the impact of the decision, noting the importance of the event for the local community and cycling fans.
“We are fully aware of the importance of this event for our region and deeply value the support that you and other institutions have provided to make it possible. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this situation may cause,” they said, reaffirming their commitment to addressing the identified issues.
Despite the disappointment, the organisers have expressed hope that the race can return in the future, stating their intent to work on improvements to meet the standards required for UCI events.
Olivia Baril won the race in 2024 ahead of Ana Santesteban.
Main photo credit: PhotoGomezSport