2008 Olympic Champion Samuel Sánchez Honored at Sold-Out 10th La Purito Andorra

Samuel Sánchez, the 2008 Olympic road race champion from Beijing and Spain's sole gold medalist in the discipline, will serve as guest of honour at the 10th edition of La Purito Andorra, the gran fondo cycling event founded by former professional Joaquim ‘Purito’ Rodríguez.

The event, now capped at 2,200 riders to ensure quality on steep climbs such as Coll de la Gallina, has sold out completely. It will take place on 2 August, drawing participants from dozens of countries in what organisers describe as a decade-defining milestone with over 20,000 total entrants from 44 nations since its inception. A Tuesday presentation showcased a promotional video featuring cycling and motorsport personalities, including ex-MTB champion José Antonio Hermida, former MotoGP rider Carlos Checa and professional cyclist Marc Soler.

The route begins at Avinguda Canòlich in Sant Julià de Lòria, ascending La Rabassa, Peguera and Gallina, then winding through Fontaneda, Aixovall and Madriu valley. A feed station awaits at Engolasters, followed by a gravel stretch on Pardines road and a descent from Els Cortals to the new finish at Plaça Sant Miquel in Encamp. This shift from the traditional Cortals endpoint, agreed with local authorities, aims to boost accessibility and invigorate the parish centre. Longer options extend to Beixalís, Coll d’Ordino and Canillo, with distances of 115km, 80km or around 30km. Inscriptions have increased for the longest and shortest routes while dipping for the mid-distance.

Event director Pepe Cuevas described the edition as rich in accumulated memories and noted its expanding global footprint, despite past logistical strains at higher numbers near 3,000. Tourism and Commerce Minister Jordi Torres, who supported the event's launch during his mobility portfolio tenure, called it an extraordinary success in desesasonalising tourism. Last year's participants generated 2.4% of overnight stays—rising from 1.5% in prior editions—with groups averaging 3.3 people over three nights. Satisfaction scored 9.1/10, 76% planned returns, nine in 10 were foreigners, over 90% visited primarily for the event, and 93% stayed overnight.

Rodríguez, a generational peer of Sánchez, praised his Tour de France stage victory, podiums in the Tour and Vuelta, and Olympic feat, deeming him worthy of the tribute. In a video message, Sánchez said he was training intensely and hailed Andorra's cycling boom: “It has grown incredibly... cleanly, nicely and easily—may it last many years.”

Rodríguez minimised an earlier licensing row with the Andorran Cycling Federation: “I don’t think anyone will leave over a licence.” He hoped for a swift fix to the “mess,” while underscoring Andorra's draw for pro teams and amateurs alike, with roads teeming with 20-25 riders daily.

Parallel activities start 1 August in Sant Julià de Lòria, including an official briefing at the Lauredià Cultural and Congress Centre’s Claror auditorium and a bike expo at Plaça de la Germandat. Encamp offers a children’s gymkhana at Parc de l’Ossa on Saturday and a communal paella on Sunday.