More than 170 riders will start the first edition of Andalucía Bike Race, a six day stage race around the stunning countryside of southern Spain, including double Olympic gold medal winner Julien Absalon.

The six day stage race will start and finish in Córdoba city, with the first three stages covering 80km per day using local features such as Medina Azahara, Sierra Morena and El Reventón. 

Then it’s a transition to the Caliphal city with Jaén, starting off at Priego de Córdoba. After crossing the Valle mountain pass and reaching Luque, riders will start a long stretch of the Subbética and Aceite Vía Verde, allowing them to “loosen their legs” before climbing to the Jabalcuz mountain range, through incredible singletracks. 

During the last two days, Andalucía Bike Race will set-up its paddock at the Salobreja municipal sports facilities. The penultimate stage will be heading East towards the Aznatín mountain range, joining tracks and singletracks on the Northern side of Sierra Mágina, leading to Sierrezuela de Pegalajar, which will have to be overcome to be able to go back to Jaén through a much more uneven terrain. 

Last stage! Tired bodies, but tremendously enthusiastic. Heading the Propios mountain range, surrounding the Quiebrajano lake and back to Jaén the opposite way to how the stage started. Smiles, hugs, happiness, satisfaction… A dream will have come true, a possible challenge reached.

Joining Julien Absalon will be other big names like Dakar winner Marc Coma, Cross Country World Champion José Antonio Hermida, Bikemarathon World Champion Ralph Näf, former X-Terra World Champion and former national Bikemarathon champion Rubén Ruzafa and the Olympic Diploma Iñaki Lejarreta. Quite a lineup, and we can only imagine that the racing will be exceedingly fast and close. 

The female entry is also remarkable, with women such as the Danish 2010 Absa Cape Epic winner Krisitne Nørgaard, who will team up with British Bikemarathon champion Sally Bigham; Ivonne Kraft, winner of 2010 Claro Brasil Ride together with Celina Carpinteiro who will also be at Andalucía Bike Race.

Flying the UK flag will be top enduro racer Josh Ibbett. Josh will be sending us daily reports so tune in to find out how he’s getting on.