Every September, Girona becomes the international epicentre of cycling as it celebrates the Sea Otter Europe Girona – Costa Brava. More than a sporting event, it’s a festival that brings together thousands of cyclists, brands and enthusiasts from all over the world, and mobilises around a hundred professionals in the organisation.
To discover the details of this unmissable event in the cycling calendar, we spoke to Oriol Sallent operational director of BIKE SHOW SPORT EVENTS, the company that organises Sea Otter Europe in collaboration with OCISPORT. Sallent is also executive director of the World Rowing Masters Regatta 2025, which was held in Banyoles in September.
What makes Sea Otter Europe unique on the international scene?
O.S.- It is a very experiential and transversal festival. It brings together road, MTB, gravel, e-bike and city bike competitions, but it is also a large trade fair with more than 300 exhibitors and some 600 brands. In addition, the public can try out bikes, enjoy exhibitions and take part in family activities. All this makes the event a unique meeting point for professionals and amateurs.
What are the figures from this year?
O.S.- We have around 6,000 participants in the sporting events and more than 47,000 visitors in the last edition of 2025. Approximately one third of the attendees are international, coming from around 100 countries. All this is possible thanks to the work of a team of around 100 people, including staff and organisers.
What role does Girona and the surroundings play in the success of the event?
O.S.- Girona is a true global benchmark for cycling. The city combines a strategic location, good infrastructure, and a privileged environment that allows for the design of routes reaching both the Costa Brava and the foothills of the Pyrenees. These conditions have led many professional cyclists and companies in the sector to establish themselves here, which further strengthens its international projection.
The economic and media impact is also considerable.
O.S.- Yes. The last study carried out indicated a return of around 12 million euros. In addition, we have coverage from around 100 international media outlets and exposure through events included in the World Cup calendar for marathon and gravel. It is also worth highlighting the support of global sponsors such as Shimano, Garmin and Continental, among others, who see Girona as a world showcase for cycling.
What are the main challenges and opportunities for the future?
O.S.- The challenge is to remain strong in a complex context for the cycling industry, which is still recovering from the post-pandemic impact and excess inventory. Despite this, we want to continue to grow and offer more opportunities to brands. The opportunities include strengthening the connection between exhibitors and the public, consolidating the World Cup events and boosting the Euro Mobility Festival, our space dedicated to urban and sustainable mobility.
How do you manage the environmental impact of such a large event?
O.S.- We are well aware that a competition with tens of thousands of participants and visitors has an impact on many levels, including the environmental one. That’s why we work to minimise it by coordinating routes with local authorities, limiting access to sensitive areas, reducing the use of motor vehicles, and collaborating with environmental organisations. In some cases, we’ve even chosen not to hold events in certain areas in order to preserve the natural environment.
This September you will also manage the World Rowing Masters Regatta in Banyoles. What would you highlight from it?
O.S.- It is a very different event, aimed at veteran rowers from clubs all over the world. It gathers around 4,000 participants and 300 volunteers, totalling between 6,000 and 7,000 people including athletes and their companions. It has a significant impact on accommodation, gastronomy and cultural tourism, as many take advantage of their stay to explore the Costa Brava and Girona. It is a unique opportunity to once again position Banyoles as an international benchmark for rowing.
To finish, what does it mean for Girona and for you to see events of the scale of Sea Otter Europe establish themselves as a major festival in Europe?
O.S.- It is a source of immense pride. We’re talking about a project that was born with the aim of putting Girona on the global cycling map and that today is already a reality. But above all, we’re excited to see how the city and the region have really made the festival their own: hotels fully booked, restaurants buzzing with cycling enthusiasts, families returning year after year… This shows that Sea Otter Europe is not just a sporting event, but a shared experience that generates wealth, that promotes the Girona, Costa Brava and Pyrenees brand, and that connects us with people who love cycling as much as we do.
👉 Find out more about the events and sports facilities of the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees on the Sports Tourism website.
