Having a goal is a great way to stay motivated when training, and picking out a distant event can be enough to power you through the depths of winter.
While events range in size, distance and attendance, boxing off something big in the calendar, alone or with friends, gives you something to look forward to and train for.
In this article, we share the top 10 events in Europe that you should circle on your calendar.
Ötztaler Radmarathon – Sölden, Austria
Fresh, rarefied air is the order of the day here, with more than 5,000 metres of Tyrolean Alpine climbing packed into 227km.
Your exertions start in Sölden before rolling onto this area’s most legendary giants, namely the ascents of Kühtai (17.9km at 6.8%), Jaufenpass (15.5km at 7%) and Timmelsjoch (22.1km at 5%).
To soften the pain, organisers stir up a festival feel, thanks to fireworks, oompah parades, stunt shows, skydiving and even group leg shaving.
Registration opens in February. If you’re lucky (or not), you’ll be one of the 4,000.
- Date: 30 August 2026
UCI Gravel Switzerland – Villars, Switzerland
There are two routes on offer in Villars, which sits on the doorstep of the UCI (international cycling governing body) headquarters in Aigle.
Go for the 60.2km option, which features nearly 1,900m of climbing, or crank it up to the longer route, which comes in at 101km and nearly 2,500m of climbing.
Either way, you’ll be entranced by the beauty of the Vaudois Alps that surround Villars. You’ll also be exasperated by a series of stiff, long climbs.
Just over half the parcours of each distance is gravel, with the remainder a pretty equal split between asphalt and older paved roads. It's an event not to be missed.
- Date: 10-12 July 2026
Gran Fondo Mont Ventoux – Vaison-la-Romaine, France
Fancy doing battle with the Giant of Provence? If so, you have three routes to the top of the iconic Mont Ventoux: 80, 106 or 135km.
Before you hit the barren upper slopes of this brutal mountain, you can enjoy pedalling through Provence’s stunning landscapes, from lavender fields and vineyards to the dramatic Gorges de la Nesque and quaint Provencal villages.
It’s a truly astounding part of the world to ride a bike in – and rather exhausting when you come to Ventoux.
Sportive Breaks (sportivebreaks.com) offers three-night packages starting at £699, but make sure you factor in that race entry is extra.
- Date: 7 June 2026
Tour of Flanders Cyclo – Antwerp, Belgium
Of all the mass-participation rides associated with pro racing’s Monuments – the five most prestigious races on the calendar – the Tour of Flanders ‘Cyclo’ is by far the most leisurely.
In Belgium, competitive racing is clearly defined: racing is for races and tours such as the Tour of Flanders Cyclo are all about fun and experiencing the culture of bike riding.
That said, the extent of the ‘fun’ could be decided by which of the three challenges you sign up for.
- Date: 4 April 2026
Veneto Gravel – Veneto, Italy
If you felt Strade Bianche’s white gravel roads were ominous, that’s nothing compared to Veneto Gravel’s 27% of gravel.
That’s nearly 189km of the white stuff. Around 3% of the parcours – 20-plus kilometres – is singletrack.
‘Testing’ is an understatement, whether you pitch for the 720km or 400km version.
Mind you, you’ll enjoy some glorious countryside and enigmatic Venetian cities on your unsupported bikepacking adventure.
You’ll also pass vineyards, orchards, pine forests and azure-blue lakes. In short, picture-postcard doesn’t do this race justice.
There are checkpoints to ensure you’re officially on track, although there’s no official cut-off time. However, the free showers stop on the Wednesday evening!
- Date: 24 April 2026
Maratona dles Dolomites – Trentino-South Tyrol, Italy
The Maratona dles Dolomites is arguably the jewel in the Italian crown. “It’s only 138km,” we hear you lament.
It is – as well as 106km and 55km options – but it’s the vertical challenge that’ll test your mettle, with 4,230m of elevation including the Giau, a 9.9km ascent that averages 9.3%.
Incredible rock formations and lush green valleys offer some natural respite, while the road surfaces are silky smooth.
- Date: 5 July 2026
Paris-Roubaix Challenge – Paris, France
Sample the brutal delights of the Hell of the North over 70km, 145km or 170km.
Do battle with iconic stretches like the Trouée d’Arenberg where jagged cobbles that could consume a small human are flanked by leafless trees.
There’s often rows of spectators, too, warming up for the women’s and men’s elite races 24 hours later. But concentrate.
Distraction can lead to a tumble on terrain that shouldn’t be underestimated.
Our colleagues at BikeRadar completed this event years ago and their palms are still vibrating from the experience.
Prepare for blisters, exhaustion and a shuddering of fun on a parcours that even includes a ceremonial sojourn around the velodrome.
- Date: 11 April 2026
La Marmotte Granfondo Alpes – Bourg d’Oisans, France
“La Marmotte begins at sunrise in the heart of Bourg d’Oisans.
"Once the starting shot has sounded, the tension makes way for adrenaline and determined pedalling, all to the soundtrack of loud applause.”
So say the organisers, and so begins what many believe is the toughest day imaginable in the saddle.
Who are we to argue when entrants compete against 177 kilometres and more than 5,000 metres of ascending?
The highlight – or low point – of the day is arguably the climb of Alpe d’Huez and its 21 hairpin bends.
Or is it the Col du Glandon that stretches out to 24.1km at 5%? Or the legendary Col du Galibier? You get the picture.
- Date: 22 June 2026
Vätternrundan – Motala, Sweden
There’s every chance you’ve never heard of the Vätternrundan.
Unless you’re from Scandinavia, of course, where thousands descend on this event each year – as they have done since its first running in 1966.
The premise sounds boringly simple: just ride around a lake. And that’s it.
But before you turn away, this is the fifth largest lake in Europe, Lake Vattern, meaning the entire loop and length of the ride is 315km.
It’s also one of the most beautiful landscapes in Sweden (south-west of Stockholm), the long, finger-shaped body of water shadowed by spruce, pine and deciduous forest.
This year is its 61st running, so what better time to enter and crank up those long Sunday morning rides?
- Date: 12-13 June 2026
Mallorca 312 – Mallorca, Spain
Fancy racking up 312km and over 4,500m of climbing in one day? Of course you do, you bona fide sadist.
For those less inclined towards total self-flagellation, there are shorter but still taxing distances of 225km and 167km.
Unusually, but appreciatively, you can change distance while you’re riding.
For many, that’ll be dropping down. For some, whose legs are oozing power, it’ll mean cranking up.
In times gone by, Mallorca 312 ticked off a lap of the island. Now it’s a closed-road event more focused in the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains to the north of the island.
Guaranteed sunshine makes this a great season opener.
- Date: 25 April 2026
