Our Dispute Resolution Partner, Andrew Isitt recently took part in the 10th International Volta a Menorca cycling event, which is run in October each year in Menorca, Spain. Although strictly not a race, the event is ridden by approx. 400 amateur riders from all over Europe, and beyond , with riders from the USA, Canada , New Zealand and Australia also taking part this year. In addition to the keen amateur riders the organisers invite a small group of professional riders each year. This year a number of Spanish Tour de France riders were invited, including Carlos Sastre (winner in 2008) and Pedro Delgado (1988) , together with Lance Armstrong’s Radioshack team-mate Chechu Rubiera. The event is run over 3 days Friday to Sunday and covers a total of 150 miles along Menorca’s picturesque, and far-from-flat back roads. The last stage on Sunday includes an ascent of the fear-inducing Monte Toro, the islands highest peak, which at 3 kilometres with an average gradient of 10% and maximum 18% is a real test for riders (going up) and bikes
( coming down again!). Andrew is a veteran of the event, having ridden it 5 times in previous years. He prepares for it by riding around 100miles per week throughout the year, including commuting to work by bike: even last winter’s deep snow saw him slipping and sliding to the office on his mountain bike! Andrew says: “ this is a fantastic event at a great time of year, when for a few days I can leave behind the gloom of Autumn in the UK and re-charge my batteries in the Spanish sunshine. Climbing Monte Toro never gets any easier, mind, but it’s a unique opportunity to ride with some of the world’s top professional cyclists, and a chance to meet and swap stories with amateur riders from all over the world, in a really friendly and welcoming atmosphere”. A report of this year’s event is due to appear in Cycling Weekly magazine soon.
( coming down again!). Andrew is a veteran of the event, having ridden it 5 times in previous years. He prepares for it by riding around 100miles per week throughout the year, including commuting to work by bike: even last winter’s deep snow saw him slipping and sliding to the office on his mountain bike! Andrew says: “ this is a fantastic event at a great time of year, when for a few days I can leave behind the gloom of Autumn in the UK and re-charge my batteries in the Spanish sunshine. Climbing Monte Toro never gets any easier, mind, but it’s a unique opportunity to ride with some of the world’s top professional cyclists, and a chance to meet and swap stories with amateur riders from all over the world, in a really friendly and welcoming atmosphere”. A report of this year’s event is due to appear in Cycling Weekly magazine soon.
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