“The route is well thought, it’s very good and attractive”

José Antonio Hermida, the first great mountain biker confirmed for Andalucía Bike Race presented by Shimano 2018, gives his vision of the eight edition.

Five times Olympian (silver in Athens 2004 and diploma in Sydney 2000 and London 2012), besides World Champion in all categories, won Andalucía Bike Race presented by Shimano 2012 and was seventh in the past edition. “I’ve raced different editions. One won, had to retire in others and have raced both in the team and individual format”, reminds Hermida.

According to this mountain biking myth, Andalucía Bike Race presented by Shimano gathers an endless number of conditions that make it Spain’s most outstanding MTB stage race and one of the world’s most excepcional. “The route is really well thought, its very good and attractive. If you add the organisation quality and obviously the land where you race, the result couldn’t be other than a great race”, assures Hermida.

“The mountain bikers aren’t in their best shape when Andalucía Bike Race presented by Shimano arrives, but being placed at the beginning of the season, is like going back to school. You meet fellows, you’re exicited to race again and know in what shape your rivals and friends are”, explains José.

Second year of individual competition

For second time, Andalucía Bike Race presented by Shimano will be raced individually. According to Hermida this assures ‘crazier’ and faster stages. “Without being a team race but having six stages, you end up teaming-up with another rider, since it’s easier to ride together”.

Andalucía Bike Race presented by Shimano will celebrate it’s eighth and year after year the majority of riders are amateurs. “The race keeps its companionship spirit which has made it famous. Many already know the areas where the race takes place and repeat every year, this means that the work and organisation has been properly done”, says Hermida.

Other of the most important aspects in an individual race is the previous physical training. Andalucía Bike Race presented by Shimano is one of the first races of the UCI’s (International Cycling Union) calendar and the only first class stage race in Spain. “Besides the previous preparation, it’s very important to be aware during the race that it’s six days of hard effort. It’s key to be mentally prepared to save energy. You have to go little by little, a bit more each day and race avoiding mistakes, in order to get to the last day in the best shape possible”, recommends Hermida.

José Antonio Hermida will be one of the most outstanding mountain bikers of Andalucía Bike Race presented by Shimano, which he will race for the fifth time, from February 25th to March 2nd in the provinces of Jaén and Córdoba.