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[Andorra MTB Classic-Pyrenees]

Defending champions return to Andorra

By Andorra MTB Classic-Pyrenees, 06/26/22, 11:30PM HST

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Team BULLS seek to add second Andorra MTB Classic-Pyrenees win to their name.

On 29 June 2021, the inaugural Andorra MTB Classic-Pyrenees began, in La Massana, with a short and punchy Prologue route that played perfectly to the strengths of Team BULLS’ Martin Frey and Simon Schneller.

The pair secured the win and the race’s yellow leader jerseys on the opening day, and they held them all the way to the finish some 150 kilometres later to claim the win. Now, in 2022, Simon Schneller has announced that he will make a return to the Principality of Andorra to defend his title, and he will race alongside long-time BULLS stalwart, Alban Lakata.

“I’m really excited to head back to Andorra for one of the best stage races I have ever done,” enthused Simon Schneller of Team BULLS. “The route was amazing. I loved the singletracks and the untouched landscapes that surrounded us. Andorra is pure mountain biking at its best and we’ll be aiming for another good result and to add more great memories to those created last year.”

Schneller returns to Andorra without his partner from the 2021 race; instead, he will race alongside Alban Lakata. Schneller explained, “Alban and I have raced the 4Islands together twice before, unfortunately I haven’t been at my best level, so I am aiming to turn things around to become the best possible partner for him. Hopefully my knowledge of the trails means I can show him some fast lines in the downhills!”

Given his 11 Absa Cape Epic finishes and multiple SPAR Swiss Epic and 4Islands finishes Lakata is no stranger to the Epic Series’ portfolio of events and what they entail.

“Events in the Epic Series are brilliantly organised, get fantastic media coverage, and show off the region’s best trails – all aspects that we as professional mountain bikers look for,” said Lakata. “Simon [Schneller] has told me that the Andorra MTB Classic has many great trails and an awesome landscape, both of which have got me really excited about racing the event!”

With the recent announcement that Speed Company Racing will also be racing the Andorra MTB Classic-Pyreness, Schneller and Lakata have their work cut out for them if they are to bring home another Epic Series title.

To follow the racing action of the second Andorra MTB Classic-Pyrenees, be sure to follow the race’s Facebook page, Instagram account, and read the daily stories on https://www.epic-series.com/andorra.