Esteban and Puyals Win 49th Jorma Volta als Ports d'Andorra Long-Distance Race
Esteban triumphed in the men's flagship 130km challenge with steep climbs like Port de Cabús, while Puyals repeated as women's champion. The event drew record participation and highlighted cycling tourism in Andorra.
Key Points
- Edgar Esteban won men's 130km race in 2:24:02; Lídia Puyals topped women in 3:00:59, defending her title.
- Over 700 cyclists from 17 countries participated, up nearly 200 from last year across five routes.
- Event featured open roads, traffic safety campaign, and weekend activities like bike demos and expo.
- Tourism boost: 65% foreigners stayed 2.4 nights on average, 90%+ in local hotels, high satisfaction.
Edgar Esteban and Lídia Puyals claimed victory in the flagship long-distance race of the 49th Jorma Volta als Ports d'Andorra, a 130km route with major climbs including Port de Cabús, Coma d’Arcalís, Coll d’Ordino, Collada de Beixalís, and Alt de la Comella.
Esteban crossed the line in 2:24:02 in the men's category, while Puyals—last year's winner—clocked 3:00:59 to top the women's field. Gina del Río, a cross-country skier, took third place among women in 3:54:19. The top Andorrans were Marc Abelló in 22nd and Benji Carballo in 25th for men.
More than 700 cyclists from 17 countries joined the event, nearly 200 more than the previous year. Five routes suited different levels, all starting from Plaça de les Fontetes in La Massana and ending at Parc Central in Andorra la Vella.
In the most popular level-3 route (87km with 202 entrants), Gabriel Prat won the men’s race in 3:26:06 and Australian Alae Brand took the women’s in 3:57:11. Andorrans Eduard Mariné (13th) and Lydia Cachafeiro (seventh in women’s) led their compatriots there. Level 4 went to Óscar Moscardo (4:43:22) and Anna Casals (5:52:20).
Roads stayed open to traffic, with the Mobility Service calling for caution near groups of riders under the "El respecte va sobre rodes" campaign promoting respect between vehicles and cyclists. Organizers timed only uphill sections, added summit photo stops, controlled descents, and used short traffic pauses instead of full closures.
The weekend began Friday with the Jorma Bike Experience, including Specialized test bikes and free BiciLab sessions. Saturday brought the Social Ride Assos Collective to Sorteny with local pros, bib pickup, a 15-exhibitor expo at Plaça de les Fontetes, music, sponsor events, and giveaways. Andorra la Vella first syndic Sergi González noted BiciLab trials, demos, displays, awards, and Tour de France viewings.
Esteban Chaves, a former pro living in Andorra, and Visma-Lease a Bike's Marianne Vos were among notable starters. Race director Gerard Riart pointed to the 2027 50th anniversary preparations with the Agrupació Ciclista Andorrana. La Massana first syndic Eva Sansa described it as a key local event alongside the BTT World Cup and Andorra Epic. Tourism and Commerce Minister Jordi Torres shared visitor stats: 65% of foreigners stayed 2.4 nights on average, over 90% in local hotels, 56% were repeats, and 9/10 rated it highly.
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