Challenge Mallorca

The 29th edition of the Challenge Mallorca is a return to balance, when it comes to race routes, from what the opening race in the Spanish men’s calendar has usually offered in previous editions. From three climber / classic riders’ courses and just one chance for the sprinters in 2019, the event goes back to two and two, with a scheme identical to the one in 2018: the fast legs will be at the front on Thursday and Sunday, while the best riders uphill will contest success on Friday and Saturday.

From Ses Salines to Felanitx, in the southeast of the Mallorca island (Thu 30th), and from the Playa de Palma to the city’s coastline boulevard, in the west (Sun 2nd), will go the two sprinters’ trophies in this year’s Challenge. Friday 31st will bring back the traditional Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana, modified with the recent Gloria storm, with 160km that include the ascents of Bleda (Cat-3, two climbs), Claret (Cat-3), Femenies (Cat-2) and Puigmajor (Cat-2). The biggest difference from previous years comes, though, on Saturday 1st: a steep final climb at Port d’Andratx (2km, nearly 9% avg.) into a third trophy starting in Pollença and featuring five other categorized climbs, though far from the finish.

* The Challenge is made of four separate UCI 1.1 races, which means that the Movistar Team lineups for every event will vary. We’ll let you know on our daily reports and our Twitter account which riders race each trophy.