Racing

Race Preview: Big Ride Round #3 – Castjon de Sos

13.06.2014
by

On the 10th of June 2014, Castjon de Sos in the Huesca mountains is set for a date with destiny, The first time that the Canondale Big Ride Open of Spain Enduro has come to town. It is a n exciting new destination on the map of Big Ride in Iberia which already ranges from the Mediterranean South with Ojen in Malaga to the romantic Atlantic hills and forests of Tui in Galicia. Our next stop adds a whole new dimension another spectacular landscape and a new set of challenges to Enduro riders.

Impressiv landscape with romantic Atlantic hills and forests of Tui in Galicia.
Impressiv landscape with romantic Atlantic hills and forests of Tui in Galicia.

The reputation of Big Ride has broken through to the very top of the National level and is now internationally recognised as one of the major races of Enduro at the present moment. The Pyrenean challenge has been developed in an area already recognised as an area of cycling tourism known for its excellent facilities especially in the field of Enduro an area with a great reputation for MTB nowadays.

20 varied trails provided the new centre who is called "Pure Pyrenees".
20 varied trails provided the new centre who is called “Pure Pyrenees”.

Castejón de Sos and the other Town halls in the area have got together a MTB project with a new centre -Pure Pyrenees- which has provided 20 varied trails in the area. Now with the Big Ride on the agenda this location is on its way to becoming a dynamic mountain bike centre, so riders in BIG RIDE can now also take advantage of the centre and it’s cycle trails.

The Tracks are already prepared.
The Tracks are already prepared.

This weekend more than 250 riders will be setting off from the paddock in the centre of the town in a format reminiscent of car rally racing. In total they will be cycling over 33 kms with three timed stretches, it will be a real challenge of physical and technical skills. The height difference of the course is 1,650 and the trails will be very different from the rest of the races in Spain, above all for their sheer length.

More than riders waiting for the start on Saturday.
More than riders waiting for the start on Saturday.

It is great to be welcoming International riders as always, and this time the Englishman Aidan Bishop and the Portuguese rider Claudio Loureiro are on top form. They are sure to be favourites in a competitive field but they will face home grown challenges from Toni Perez from Galicia who is head of the leader board in general classification and of course Ruben Rodriguez .Roger Gonzalez and Jacob Santana of the Mondraker team will no doubt also be challengers among many other experienced riders, It is such a strong field on a new course so anything is possible and many riders will be looking to make their mark on the classification board.

Spectacular landscapes and a new set of challenges are waiting of the Enduro riders.
Spectacular landscapes and a new set of challenges are waiting of the Enduro riders.

At this very moment Castejón de Sos is becoming a town which celebrates Sport in so many forms and BIG RIDE fits perfectly into the scene. Everything is being done to develop this beautiful valley into a permanent headquarters of this national Enduro competition. The Big Ride team and the representatives of Castejón de Sos have put their all into creating a great experience for all the competitors in this spectacular event; which is sure to be the first of many.

More informations on www.bigridechampionship.com

Words & Pictures: PR Big Ride

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.

You may also like