Spain 15 Feb 2026 Class 1.Pro – 1 day – UCI ProSeries
Website www.clasicadealmeria.net
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
Alex Kirsch is a 33-year-old professional cyclist from Luxembourg, born June 12th 1992. He rides for Cofidis, a UCI ProTeam. He has won 2 UCI races, and is currently ranked 1065th in the UCI Ranking.Alex Kirsch: Profile & Career Update (2026)
Alex Kirsch remains a powerhouse of Luxembourgish cycling. While he spent the bulk of his career as a world-class “pilot fish” (lead-out man) and road captain, his recent move has given him a bit more individual spotlight.
Key Personal Details
- Born: June 12, 1992 (Age 33)
- Nationality: Luxembourgish
- Physical Profile: 194 cm (6’4″), approx. 78 kg—a classic “rouleur” build perfect for the cobbles.+1
Team & Professional Status
- Current Team: Cofidis (as of Jan 1, 2026). After seven successful years with the Trek franchise (Trek-Segafredo / Lidl-Trek), Kirsch signed a three-year deal with the French squad Cofidis.+1
- Role: He serves as the primary lead-out specialist for Belgian sprinter Milan Fretin and acts as a protected rider/road captain for the Flemish Classics.
- UCI Ranking: His ranking fluctuates with the season, but following a strong start to 2026 (including a solid performance at the AlUla Tour), he is generally ranked much higher than 1000th—often sitting within the top 300–400 globally depending on the rolling points.
Major Victories & Palmarès
Kirsch has more than two professional wins to his name now, largely thanks to a dominant 2023 season:
- National Champion Luxembourg – Road Race (2023): A career-defining win.
- National Champion Luxembourg – Time Trial (2023): Completing the rare “double” in the same year.
- National Champion Luxembourg – Time Trial (Multiple/Youth): He has also secured podiums in the ITT in 2024 and 2025.
- Triptyque des Monts et Châteaux (2014): An early career stage win.
Rider Style
Kirsch is widely respected in the peloton as a “Road Captain.” He is the rider who makes the tactical calls mid-race.
- Specialties: Heavy lead-outs, crosswinds, and the “Hell of the North” (Paris-Roubaix) style of racing.
- Recent Form: In early 2026, he has been instrumental in organizing the Cofidis sprint train, helping the team secure early-season UCI points to maintain their WorldTour standing.
Fun Fact: If he hadn’t turned pro, Kirsch has mentioned he likely would have pursued a career as an economics professor, having studied the subject at university.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Clásica de Almería is a premier Spanish one-day race that has evolved from a local amateur event into one of the most prestigious early-season “sprinter’s classics” in professional cycling.
As of today, February 15, 2026, the 39th edition of the men’s race is underway, following a period of significant growth for both the men’s and women’s events.
Chronological Evolution
| Era | Status | Key Milestone |
| 1986–1991 | Amateur | Established as a regional race. Spanish riders dominated every podium during this period. |
| 1992 | Professional | The race officially joined the pro ranks. Kenneth Weltz (Denmark) became the first non-Spanish winner. |
| 2005 | UCI 1.1 | Integrated into the UCI Europe Tour, attracting a higher tier of international ProTeams. |
| 2020 | UCI 1.Pro | Upgraded to the UCI ProSeries, solidifying its status just below the WorldTour. |
| 2023 | Women’s Race | The first Clásica de Almería WE was held, marking a major step in the event’s expansion. |
Race Profile & Identity
While the race takes place in the mountainous Andalusia region, it has “reinvented” itself since 2008 as a race for the fast men.
- The Route: Typically around 190 km. It often starts with a series of climbs (like the Alto de Celín and Alto de Berja) to tire out the legs, but the final 50 km are generally flat, leading to a high-speed bunch sprint in Roquetas de Mar.
- The Weather: The Almería region is famous for its strong winds. Even if the route is flat, the peloton is frequently torn apart by “crosswinds” (echelons), making it a tactical battle for the classics specialists.
Notable Champions
The race’s roll of honor reads like a “Who’s Who” of the world’s greatest sprinters:
- Legends: Mark Cavendish (2015), Sam Bennett (2014), and Michael Matthews (2012).
- Multiple Winners: Massimo Strazzer and Pascal Ackermann share the record for most wins (2 each).
- Recent Success: Milan Fretin (Cofidis) is the defending champion, having won the 2025 edition in a dominant sprint.
Did you know?
In 1992, the race was briefly known as the “Rutas de las Hortalizas” (The Vegetable Routes), a nod to Almería’s status as the “Garden of Europe” due to its massive greenhouse farming industry.
The 2026 edition is currently featuring a star-studded field including Biniam Girmay, Arnaud De Lie, and Dylan Groenewegen
