2015 is shaping up to be a big year for marathon racing and tomorrow the European season begins. Almost all the big teams are here at Andalucia Bike Race aiming to start the year with a win. The buzz around the arena in Jaén today was bigger than ever before. The highly competitive entry list reads more like a World Cup. The favourites must not only defeat their rivals but also the 6 days of tough trails here in Andalucia. Over the next 6 days, 748 participants from 30 different countries will cover more than 420 kilometres and climb more than 13,800 meters.
The city of Jaén is our start venue; the city rises from the foot of the Santa Catalina hill, with steep streets that define its urbanism. Around it there’s plenty of fertile farming land and extensive olive groves which rest on the Guadalquivir valley. Jaén has in its monumental heritage. What stands out of the rich architectural heritage of Jaén is the Renaissance cathedral planned by Andrés de Vandelvira half way through the 16th century.
Jose Antonio Hermida, World Champion and winner in 2012, is here. So is former marathon World Champion Alban Lakata. These 2 might be favourites but are just half of 2 teams which will fight for the overall at this year’s Andalucia Bike Race. Racing as a pair adds a whole new dynamic, it’s no longer about who is the fastest individual but which pair can work together the best, communication is vital. Many of these pairs will go on to race the Cape Epic later on this month.
The Mountain Trax – Vauxhall Cycling Team are here in Spain, I’m paired up for the first time with my new teammate Dylan Kerfoot-Robson. John Newport, our trusty supporter is also here. We’re raring to go and start 2015 with a great result. As a pair we might take a couple of days to learn how best to work together but we hope the legs are strong enough for a decent UCI points haul.
Fans are now able to download the new Andalucia Bike Race app for Android or iOS phones, this will allow you to check all the information regarding the race (maps, profiles, schedule, road book, etc.) and follow it in real time.
Tomorrow stage 1 will take riders on an 89 kilometre lap with 3076 metres of ascent. Throughout the week as we race from Jaén to Cordoba we’ll be posting regular updates on MarathonMTB.com.