Encamp and Pas de la Casa claim their place in Cycling Legacy

Cycle Andorra's famous climbs including the Beixalis, Ordino, Envalira and Cortals d´Encamp at the inaugural Gran Fondo Encamp Pas de la Casa on September 18th. Become a GFWT® World Champion. Gran Fondo Guide fans and followers SAVE 20% on registration fees!

The first edition of the Gran Fondo Encamp Pas de la Casa, scheduled for September 18th, will step into historic cycling territory, full of references to the bicycle and scene of great battles between cycling legends old and new.

Andorra has been a crossing point for the best cycling races in the world, including the Tour de France, the Vuelta a España and the Volta a Catalunya, the third oldest stage tour in the world.

Almost twenty years ago, the Tour entered Andorra through Envalira and Pas de la Casa, with a fantastic escape by Colombian Oliverio Rincón, cyclists have built their reputations here. The last, being no other than Tadej Pogacar at the 2019 Vuelta, when he revealed himself to the global cycling community, winning an epic stage at Cortals d´Encamp.

“Here we breathe cycling", explains Nino Marot, Minister of Tourism and Economic Reactivation of the Comú d´Encamp, "Since 2020, we have experienced a boom in cyclists and cycle-related activity, everything has gone hand-in-hand, all the hotels have transformed themselves to be 100% bicycle friendly, we already have three bicycle rental companies and dedicated cycle guides too.”

The first edition of the Gran Fondo Encamp Pas de la Casa, scheduled for September 18th, will step into historic cycling territory

The climbs and landscape of the GF Encamp Pas de la Casa

Let us remember that on September 18th, those attending the first edition of the Gran Fondo Encamp Pas de la Casa will have three routes to choose from: the 103km Gran Fondo with more than 3,200 meters of climibing up Beixalis, Ordino, Envalira and Cortals d´Encamp, the 47km Medio Fondo with almost 1,700 meters of climbing up Beixalis and Cortals d´Encamp, and the 31km Piccolo Fondo with more than 1,000 meters of climbing up Cortals d´ Encamp.

The inaugural edition of the Gran Fondo Encamp Pas de la Casa cries out, "We will be the event that places us on the map of cyclists worldwide, who will come and get to know us, and then when they return home, talk endlessly about us to their cycling pals!”.

Except for a small section on the Gran Fondo, the routes wind through the parish of Encamp between its two main towns of Encamp and Pas de la Casa.

Nino Marot describes all three climbs that make the area an ideal place to enjoy cycling:

“Envalira is one of the great climbs of the Pyrenees that takes us up and over 2,400 meters. It is the one of the most important and most recognized climbs, since the Tour de France passed through several times, especially last year when Sepp Kuss won in Andorra. It is a friendly climb for cyclists, with a clear panorama over the Circ de Pessons and Envalira, and peculiarly has a dedicated bike lane.”

"Beixalis is a first category that has carved a niche for itself in the recent history of the Tour and the Vuelta. Although on the day of the Gran Fondo, it will be closed to traffic, it is a very quiet ascent with demanding slopes.”

"The climb of Cortals d´Encamp was arrival of a 2019 Vuelta stage and was a boost for the region, a virgin and unexplored area for the cyclist!"

The Climbs and Landscape of the GF Encamp Pas de la Casa

In collaboration with Gran Fondo World Tour ®

The Gran Fondo World Tour ® has taken charge of the creation and launch of the event in association with Comú d´Encamp.

For the co-director of the event and Dakar Rally Sport Director for ASO, David Casterá, “the Gran Fondo Encamp Pas de la Casa is an opportunity for us to contribute everything we have learned in motorsport, such as the Dakar Rally or Rally Maroc, to cycling, finding new formats that challenge the participant while discovering the parish of Encamp and Pas de la Casa”.

In turn, Dani Buyo, CEO of the Gran Fondo World Tour, adds that “the Comú d'Encamp shows its commitment to cycling as an economic powerhouse. From the Gran Fondo World Tour side, we will contribute everything we have learned in all our Gran Fondo destinations on five continents, and firmly put Encamp and Pas de la Casa on the world cycling map”.

For Buyo, “this is the ideal setting in which to host the 2022 Gran Fondo World Championships and put the event to the test, as the one-day open World Championship for the "Amateur Cyclist" with the chance to get on the podium in your age category group for both men and women. It is also a commitment to the non-professional aspect of sport, as economic tourist destination for cyclists and their families that is advancing at an increasing pace”.

All participants in the first edition of the Gran Fondo Encamp Pas de la Casa will have a welcome pack made up of a commemorative jersey from leading brand Ryzon Vela, a one-day ski pass for Grandvalira, the largest ski area in the Pyrenees. In addition, those who travel to Encamp to ride the Gran Fondo (aka Marche) will receive a discount on all fuel at Garal gas stations.

The 2022 Gran Fondo World Tour Championship ®

The championship course will be the 103km Gran Fondo course with four 1st category mountain passes to challenge the best amateur cyclists in the world.

This year, there’s no need to pre-qualify, just register in advance - open to all amateur cyclists.

The course will be a timed section format, with 3 timed uphill sections, the fastest combined time over the 3 sections will win across a range of age categories.

The race is neutralized between the timed sections, allowing riders relax, ride in groups, stop, re-fuel, re-hydrate and enjoy the stunning Andorra scenery.

Age categories include Junior 16-18, Senior 18-39, Masters 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60+ for both men and women. In addition there will be an overall ranking crowning the 2022 Gran Fondo World Tour ® World Champion and special custom World Championship jersey.

The above prizes count for over 100 awards, giving all participants the opportunity to become their age group world champion. Additionally, the overall ranking podium winners will share 3,000 USD prize money!

Additionally the event will feature a 60km Medio Fondo and a 30km Piccolo Fondo, plus a special e-bike category allowing cyclists of all abilities to enjoy the challenge.

The start and finish line is located in Encamp, Andorra.