THE IRON ROUTE

A compact day with 600 metres more descending than climbing, Stage 2 exemplifies why remote starts are a win-win for teams. Starting at the Pal/Arinsal ski station the 45 kilometre course includes a section of the World Cup cross-country track, an ascent to Coll de la Botella and a high altitude, wild singletrack, traverse to Collada de Montaner. After the unbeatable wilderness and nature of the first half of the stage, the second traces man’s history in Andorra. The Ruta del Ferro, a modern homage to the country’s rich tradition of ironmongery as well as a great riding route.