The Andorra MoraBanc Clàssica, scheduled for Sunday 22 June, marks a historic moment for the small Pyrenean principality, which will host its first UCI one-day race. Among the home riders expected at the start are the names of Tom Pidcock, Mattias Skjelmose and Toms Skujiņš.

Despite being its first edition, the race has attracted a respectable field with four WorldTour teams and nine ProTeam formations. Wearing the number 1 will be Carlos Verona of Lidl-Trek, ambassador of the event and one of the first professionals to settle in Andorra, now home to over 100 athletes of various disciplines.

The route, although short at 138.5 km, promises to be extremely challenging with five categorized climbs and almost 4,500 meters of total elevation gain. It starts with the Port d'Envalira (28 km at 5%) and ends in La Massana on the Coll de la Botella (7 km at 7.5%). In between, the riders will have to tackle the Coll d'Ordino, the Coll de la Comella and the fearsome Coll de Beixalis.

For Skjelmose, it represents a last-minute change of plans in his preparation for the Tour de France, after having to withdraw from both the Tour de Suisse and the Critérium du Dauphiné due to health problems. Andorra's strategic location and challenging course have made this race particularly attractive to riders preparing for the Grande Boucle.

The race, organized in collaboration with La Route d'Occitanie, is just the beginning: according to Verona, the future goal is to organize a women's race in the principality as well.