15. jun. 2022

Record entries at the MERIDA powered '3 Nacions' Gran Fondo.

Going into its 42nd edition, the '3 Nacions' Gran Fondo managed to attract a record field of 2,130 riders, including sporting greats like MotoGP's Aleix Espargaró, former podium Tour rider Purito Rodríguez and MTB World Cup racer Victor Koretzky, all lining up at the start line last weekend to tackle the 140 km long course that spreads across three countries – Spain, Andorra and France.

Riders from the 'home nations' of Spain, Andorra and France, as well as enthusiasts from Switzerland and even as far as Qatar, got involved in the challenge and once again found perfect event conditions and support along the demanding yet breathtakingly beautiful route.

Iconic climbs like the Port d'Envalira, the Coll de Puymorens and the Tour de Carol give the '3 Nacions' the edge, and while some of the participants very much aiming at being 'first over the line', the majority of riders are there for the experience, camaraderie and the sense of achievement when completing this unique challenge.

While competition might not be the main focus of the '3 Nacions', the fastest times of 03:49:48 by Raúl Castello García in the men's category and 04:07:31 by Anna Noguera in the women's category once again underlined the quality of riders that get involved.

Besides having record-breaking rider numbers, the 2022 '3 Nacions' managed to break into new territory on a completely different front as well. For the first time, the event was able to be completely energy self-sufficient by generating all needed energy through solar panels and even feeding surplus energy back into the grid of the nearby town.

Race organiser, MERIDA ambassador and all-round cycling legend José Antonio Hermida can once again look back at a fantastic cycling weekend and is already planning the 43rd edition of this classic '3 country involving' Gran Fondo.

For the full results and additional information, please go to www.3nacions.com.