Program of events in Megalopolis
On the occasion of the Megalopolis Gravel Classic 2026, the heart of Megalopolis beats to the rhythm of the bicycle with a series of events starting on Thursday, April 23 and culminating over the weekend in the Central Square of Megalopolis.
As part of the 2nd Megalopolis Gravel Classic 2026, the week is dedicated to cycling! Educational school programs, events, Bike Expo and a cycling tour of the city, all with the simultaneous presence of a gold medalist, the “legend” Paolo Bettini in Megalopolis.
Let’s take a closer look at the program of events of the Megalopolis Gravel Classic 2026:
THURSDAY APRIL 23
The events begin on Thursday, April 23, with the arrival in Megalopolis of Paolo Bettini, the gold medalist of the Athens Olympic Games in the endurance race.
On the same day, an educational session will take place at the 4th Primary School and the High School of Megalopolis, with the presentation of the program “Learning about the Bicycle”.
This is an educational program that presents in a simple and understandable way the history of the bicycle from the late 19th century to the present day, describes the types of bicycles and provides practical information on their use. It also informs about the rules of the Greek Road Traffic Code concerning bicycles, and gives advice on the safe and fun use of bicycles. The aim is to inspire children to consider it as an alternative means of transportation for their cities, but also an option for a more athletic lifestyle.
The program, designed by our organization, has already been presented in more than 100 schools throughout Greece, and will be introduced by the former Greek Cycling Champion and current Head of Performance of the XDS Astana team, Vasilis Anastopoulos.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
Presentation of the educational program “Learning about the Bicycle” at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Primary Schools.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
From Saturday at noon, until the end of the event on Sunday afternoon, a skills track for children and a Bike Expo with companies from all over Greece will operate in Heroes Square.
On Saturday afternoon, the Olympic gold medallist in road cycling Paolo Bettini will be at the event site to answer questions and take photos with visitors.
On the same day, at 20:00, the city’s Cycling Tour will begin, an open event for all residents, while just before the start, 5 MTB Ideal bicycles will be raffled off among the students of the four Elementary Schools and the High School.
On Saturday there will be a Pasta Party with local flavors for the participants, while at 20:30 a cheerful Concert with the Las Kumbaritas trio will start in the central square:
Alexis Grammatikos – saxophone, vocals
Fotini Tsaknaki – keyboards, vocals
Roli Giamopoulou – drums, vocals
A trio with a swing – jazzy and disco mood is coming to the Megalopolis Gravel Classic with the aim of “flattening” the most difficult altitudes of Sunday!
The concert starts with the Megalopolis resident Konstantinos Tselas!
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
The start of the three routes of the Megalopolis Gravel Classic 2026, which are expected to attract over 160 participants, will begin on Sunday at 09:00 in the morning in front of the Megalopolis City Hall (at the top of the central square), while the finishe for the major routes is expected shortly after 13:00 in the afternoon, at the same point.
It is worth mentioning that the event has already attracted the interest of the media throughout Greece, with more than 20 media outlets from Athens, the Peloponnese and the rest of Greece reporting on it.
SUMMARY:
Saturday 25/4/2026
12:00 – Start, Bike Festival / Bike Expo, Reception, Registration / Activities for children
19:00 – Technical briefing in Greek and English for participants and discussion with Paolo Bettini
20:00 – City Bike Tour
20:30 – Concert in the central square
Sunday 26/4/2026
08:00 – Start, reception, final instructions
09:00 – Pre-start of the three routes (100, 50, 25 kilometers)
14:00 – Prize draws from sponsors
18:00 – End of the event
SPONSORS: Top Cycles, Shimano, ΑΙΓΕΑΣ ΑΜΚΕ, Επιμελητήριο Αρκαδίας
MEDIA SPONSORS: ΜΒΙΚΕ, Ε.Σ.Ε.Τ, Sport24, Ionian TV, ART, Δημοτικό Ραδιόφωνο Τρίπολης, Το καφενείο της Μεγαλόπολης
The Megalopolis Gravel Classic is an initiative of the organization “Cities for Cycling”, with the aim of promoting cycling and cycling tourism. The idea and responsibility for its implementation belongs to Spyros Papageorgiou and Vasilis Anastopoulos.
* More information about the routes, the program, the organisation and registration can be found on the official website of the organisation, gravelchallenge.gr.
* Central photo: Paolo Bettini in Athens, © Νάσος Τριανταφύλλου/cyclingphotos.gr
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