40 Cyclists Complete 700km Madrid-Andorra Ride for Intellectual Disability Inclusion

Around 40 cyclists and nearly 80 participants, including volunteers, completed a nearly 700-kilometre charity ride from Madrid to Andorra on Saturday, highlighting inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities through shared cycling challenges.

The ninth edition of project KM0, organised by Fundació A LA PAR and Tressis—a Grup MoraBanc subsidiary in Spain—started on Wednesday in Alcalá de Henares. The four-stage route passed through Calatayud, Barbastro and Sort, facing high temperatures, especially during the 140-kilometre push through the Monegros desert and the final 170-kilometre leg to Andorra la Vella. The event proceeded without major incidents, aside from minor falls, thanks to support vehicles, mechanical assistance and rest stops that prioritised group cohesion over speed.

The peloton arrived together around early afternoon outside MoraBanc's headquarters in Andorra la Vella, greeted by bank staff, Tressis employees and accompanying volunteers with embraces and applause. In the final stretch from the La Massana descent, professional cyclist Carlos Verona—an Andorran resident, project supporter and Andorra MoraBanc Clàssica organiser—joined them to the finish line. Participants later toured Bici Lab Andorra to explore bicycle history and culture, where Verona offered his congratulations.

Coordinator Miguel Silvestre called the unified finish the event's emotional peak, noting that the 40 riders from Sort and overall 80-strong group functioned as a single unit despite diverse backgrounds. He emphasised that the ride transcended physical demands, serving as a journey of coexistence where participants pedalled, lived and learned together, breaking down prejudices and showcasing abilities. "The biggest challenge was not reaching Andorra, but making 80 very different people work as a real team," Silvestre said. He praised the warm welcomes in villages along the route, where locals treated riders like heroes, and stressed the philosophy that everyone arrives together—if one stops, all do.

Launched in 2017, KM0 uses cycling to promote equality, motivate families and expand sports access for those with intellectual disabilities. Silvestre said planning for next year's edition is already underway, with goals to broaden involvement.