Challenge Mallorca

With the men’s European season officially opened at the Clàssica CV and GP Castellón, the Challenge Mallorca will offer the riders a test over five consecutive efforts, yet independent: as it’s tradition, the races, or ‘trophies’, are held as separate UCI 1.1 events. Despite the Movistar Team bringing nearly a dozen riders to the Balearic Islands, only seven compete each day.

There’s two clear sprint opportunities during the week: the Trofeos Ses Salines – Felanitx, on Thursday 25th, and the closing round at Palma’s coastline, Sunday 28th. The other three races cover the beautiful mountains in the northwest of the island. On Wednesday 24th, the Trofeo Calvià features five rated climbs; on Friday 26th, the well-known Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana tackles the longer side of the Puig Major (Cat-1) plus the Coll de Sóller (Cat-2); and on Saturday 27th, at the Trofeo Pollença – Port d’Andratx, ascents and hills will be covered almost non-stop from start to finish.