THE HORS CATEGORIE STAGE

L'Étape Reine, the Queen Stage. 61 kilometres with 2 290 metres of climbing from Canillo to La Massana on a day of high-altitude mountain biking. Stage 3 will be the toughest of the 2024 race and could well be the most exciting, as it may determine who will stands atop the various category podiums. It is a day of long and arduous climbs, though fortunately a healthy amount of asphalt makes the surface easier to conquer. From the summits of the Andorran cols the descents are fast and fun, though treacherous rocks and roots could undo a team’s good work with a puncture or a crash. It will be a day of risk and reward, those crowned as king and queen at Stage 3’s end has a superb opportunity to reign supreme overall.