With torrential rain in Catalunya the week before the race, the conditions were challenging to say the least. Trails were muddy; rivers were high. At points, riders could have been forgiven for swapping speed suits for swimsuits.

Then the speed of the attack on the first day showed that gravel racing had taken another step up during the off-season – and also showed why this is the place to be in cycling right now. “I breathed at the start and then not again till now,” said team leader Mattia De Marchi after Stage One.

Our Belgian ace Jordy Bouts unfortunately had to quit after the first stage, because of an allergy. And Eddy was forced to pull out halfway through due to illness, leaving Mattia to carry the torch, finishing 36th overall.

While it was not the start to the season they were hoping for, the guys will pick themselves up and fight again another day. Congratulations to overall winners Sofia Gomez Villafane and Mads Wurtz Schmidt.

The season is open. The battle lines are drawn. Avanti! Next stop: Sahara Gravel in Morocco on 24 February. See here for more about The Grip and their racing calendar.