Getting ready for the 2026 season - a Gaia Tormena interview

With spring starting to make an appearance, the cycling season is truly on its way, with racing in the various disciplines not far behind. We caught up with Gaia Tormena, the MERIDA-powered Cross Country Eliminator European Championships, to find out how her off-season has gone, what her goals are for the upcoming season, and how she has coped with missing out on defending her World Championships title due to injury last year.

Since the end of last season, have you taken any time off, and if so, what did you do?
Of course I did. For me, having a long period without training is necessary to recharge both my mental and physical batteries before a new season starts, and to remind myself that, besides being an athlete, there's a whole world out there that we are not always able or allowed to explore during the season.

When did you go back into training, and what preparation have you done for the 2026 season? MTB, running, gym...
I started with some slow MTB rides, then added gym sessions, and when possible, some intensity training on the road bike outside; otherwise, I used the rollers.

When is your first race, and how do you feel going into it?
I have already started racing on the road, but my first XCE race will be the most important event of the year: the World Championships in Barcelona on the 18th of April. I’m doing my best to prepare for it because, after missing out on the jersey last year and having to watch the race from home with an injured elbow, I'm determined to win the title back!

What are the key events you are aiming at in 2026?
The XCE World Championships, in a couple of weeks, the XCE European Championships in Turkey and the Italian Championships in June (7th and 26th). I’ll then prepare for some specific road and gravel races throughout the year, depending on the XCE events.

What will you be riding in 2026, and have you made any changes from last year?
I’ll be riding the same bikes as last year: the BIG.NINE for the XCE events and the REACTO for the road races. I’ve ridden different road bikes in my career, but never one that performs like the REACTO. Besides that, I’ll have the privilege of riding the new gravel bike, the MISSION, as well, and I can’t wait to properly test it.

As well as focusing on the Eliminator discipline, are you planning to take part in any other events or disciplines in 2026?
I’ll be racing in road races in Italy and abroad, as well as in gravel races for the first time. I plan to race the TRAKA in Girona and at the European Championships.

If you could give advice to someone keen to get into your sport, what would it be? What do you wish you had known when you were starting out?
I wish I had known how addictive it would be. Cycling connects you with people, especially if you have the chance to participate in international events. You’ll meet people from all over the world and forge friendships that will last a lifetime. For young riders in particular, it's a life-changing experience that helps you grow as a person and an athlete.

What do you think would encourage more women to take up mountain biking and cycling in general?
Word of mouth among women. I think many women are afraid of sport in general, and cycling in particular, because they worry about being compared to others. However, doing sport isn't just about racing; when you go for a bike ride, you don't have to beat records every time. The only records you'll beat are your own, because when you find the right riding group, partner or bike, you'll be happier and healthier than ever. So, give it a try before saying 'it's not for me'!

What would your perfect day of riding look like?
My best riding days are the ones I share with my boyfriend, who follows me on a motorbike. We start in the morning and stay out for three to five hours. We do workouts and motor pacing together, simulate racing situations and come back home happy and motivated for the next events.

Unfortunately, you weren't able to defend your XCE World Championships title as you crashed before the race. Nevertheless, it was amazing that you managed to win the European title again. How did you deal with that at the time, and what are your ambitions for both events this year?
The first two days after the crash were hard because I kept thinking that, two days earlier, I was in the best shape of my life to fight for that title, whereas now the only thing I could do was lie in bed and deal with the pain. Then I shifted my focus to rehabilitation and stopped thinking about the World Championships. The day before the race, I did my first ride outside, and on race day, I went out riding before the event began with my rainbow jersey on! Then, the goal became the European Championships, which was later in the year, and with good preparation, we took it home! Crossing the finish line in first place was a huge relief. It was like telling myself and the world that the crash hadn't changed anything and that I was back.

The first race of the year will be the World Championships, and I’m more motivated than ever to win because Barcelona is one of the tracks that suits me the best, with short sprints one after the other. After that, I’ll shift my training focus and prepare for the European Championships, which is a totally different track, long straight lines where endurance is crucial if you don’t want to drown in lactic acid.

I simply can’t wait to be back at the start line and test my strength against the rest of the field.


We would like to thank Gaia for her time and insight, and we hope that she will start the 2026 season with a bang at the XCE World Championships in April. We also hope that she will dominate the UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup and the European Championships in June once again.

Good luck from everybody at MERIDA.

To keep up to date with Gaia's latest race results and achievements, follow her on Instagram @gaiatormena.

NOTE: Some images are provided by @amj_motorsport