Gravel fashion caught fire, spreading from city streets to rugged backroads until it became a magnet for thousands of cyclists. It’s no longer surprising to spot someone riding on an unpaved stretch with a support vehicle gliding nearby. A road bike with studded wheels sits a notch thinner than a mountain bike, yet it proves sturdy enough to handle rough terrain. The latest surge in this movement saw Alejandro Valverde embrace a new twist on his career, taking the lead of a fresh project. Movistar is building a team focused on gravel, extending invitations to some specialists from the Telefónica-backed official squad.
He initially planned to ride Volta a Catalunya last month, where his new responsibilities within the team included advising directors and brokers. Questions arose about his role, and the answer pointed toward a partnership with the so‑called pebble approach. The idea is not to curb freedom; it’s about embracing a technique that lets a rider move faster on unpaved roads with less effort, all while enjoying views that remain protected from the hazards of forest trails.
When Itzulia arrived in Labastida, the town nestled in Álava among the La Rioja vineyards, Joseba Beloki—three Tour podiums behind him—revealed that they ventured out together daily whenever possible. Peter Horillo, another former rider known for his sharp support, and Oscar Freire, a three‑time world champion, were highlighted as standout assistants.
Oscar Pereiro, winner of the 2006 Tour, described gravel as a new source of bike fun. As he surveyed the late stages of this year’s Tour, which concluded with a ride through Barcelona, the retired champion sought encouragement in this renewed life on two wheels. On April 23 he announced he would ride in support of the gravel project, sporting a back‑to‑back appearance with the team member nicknamed Yılmaz from Almeria. It wasn’t just gravel fans or Andalusian enthusiasts who would see them return to action, as the momentum continued with a Girona race on April 29 where more riders from the Movistar fold would join.
In the project called Movistar Team Pebble Team, professional road cyclists connected to the Eusebio Unzue framework include Ivan Garcia Cortina. Just last autumn, another prominent Telefónica rider, Charles Verona, took part in the first official world championship of the discipline won by the Belgian Gianni Vermeersch, ahead of Sunday’s favorite Mathieu van der Poel, as a highly capable athlete in any discipline. Paris‑Roubaix couldn’t be missed, with a flamboyant gravel rider also making a statement on the cobbles.
Gravel fashion captivated thousands of cyclists everywhere. It is no longer unusual to find someone navigating an unpaved road with a support car nearby. A road bike with studded tires sits a notch thinner than a mountain bike but remains rugged enough for rough surfaces. The latest wave saw Alejandro Valverde lead a new project after embracing a broader gravel strategy, with Movistar assembling a team focused on this discipline, including several professionals from the Telefónica–sponsored official squad.
He had originally targeted Volta a Catalunya last month, where his new duties included guiding directors and brokers. The question about his role yielded a reply echoing the pebble concept: a move toward freedom rather than constraint. It is a method that lets riders go faster on gravel roads with less effort, while still enjoying protected vistas along forested routes.
When Itzulia rolled into Labastida, a Basque town amid La Rioja’s vineyards, Joseba Beloki, who has stood on the podium three times at the Tour, mentioned they went out together every day they could locate. Peter Horillo, noted as one of the finest assistants, and Oscar Freire, a three‑time world champion, were named among the notable crew.
Notably, Oscar Pereiro—winner of the 2006 Tour—stated that gravel is his new source of bike joy. He observed the final kilometers of the second stage of this year’s Tour, which wrapped up with a Barcelona finish, and embraced the retiree’s renewed enthusiasm for gravel riding. On April 23 he announced his intention to ride as part of the gravel project, paired with a rider from Almeria, as they prepared for upcoming events. The movement wasn’t limited to gravel enthusiasts and Andalusians; the team’s momentum grew with a Girona event slated for April 29 that would showcase more Movistar riders.
Within Movistar Team Pebble Team, seasoned road cyclists associated with the Eusebio Unzue stable include Ivan Garcia Cortina. Last autumn, another leading Telefónica rider, Charles Verona, competed in the first official world championship for the specialty, won by Gianni Vermeersch, with Mathieu van der Poel anticipated as Sunday’s favorite. Paris‑Roubaix watchers would not miss a feature gravel rider who added flair to the event.