The Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior is thinking big. Launched in 2022, the Spanish one-day race has rapidly established itself as a fixture of the February calendar, regularly attracting top-tier talent. After welcoming Tadej Pogačar in 2023, organiser Pascual Momparler has secured Tom Pidcock for the start on 16 February. And by 2027, he hopes to tick off the final name on his personal wish list.
In recent seasons, Momparler has made a habit of bringing a superstar to Andalusia. The race’s position on the calendar works in its favour: it falls just before the early-season stage races in Spain and Portugal and shortly after many riders return to Europe from winter campaigns in the Middle East.
That timing, combined with a demanding course packed with gravel sectors, has already produced a strong roll of honour. Alexey Lutsenko claimed the inaugural edition in 2022, with Pogačar triumphing a year later. Oier Lazkano (Movistar) won in 2024, followed by Michał Kwiatkowski (INEOS) in 2025. The start list over the years has also featured the likes of Wout van Aert, Egan Bernal and Isaac del Toro.
Organising the race has not been without challenges. With television coverage now required and Spanish authorities taking a strict approach to access on gravel roads, preparations for the 2026 edition have demanded significant effort from Momparler and his team. On 16 February, the peloton will face eight gravel sectors, followed by a local finishing circuit that will be raced twice.
This year, Pidcock headlines the field. Now riding for Pinarello–Q36.5, the Brit and former Strade Bianche winner will aim to make an immediate mark in Jaén. Among those set to challenge him are Jan Christen and Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE), Giulio Pellizzari and Jai Hindley (Red Bull), and Attila Valter (Bahrain Victorious).
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