Del Toro and Roglic share glory in inaugural Andorra Cycling Masters

The day began with an individual time trial on the Coll de la Gallina, 11.7 kilometres at an average gradient of 8.4 percent. Del Toro was the first to start, followed by Roglic, Vingegaard and finally Pogacar. Roglic set the fastest time with 25:39, finishing 20 seconds ahead of Pogacar (25:59). Del Toro took third with 28:05, while Vingegaard completed the climb in 29:24.

As the riders returned to the capital for the second part of the event, Andorra la Vella’s streets filled with fans eager to watch the four-man race. Roglic made the first move but was caught, then Del Toro launched his own attack. Pogacar and Vingegaard tried to break clear in the closing laps, but the quartet regrouped for a sprint finish. Del Toro crossed the line narrowly ahead of Roglic, with Pogacar third and Vingegaard fourth.

With these results, Roglic was crowned the overall winner of the first Andorra Cycling Masters.

“The goal was to create something completely different from what we’ve ever seen before,” said Betim Budzaku, general manager of the Andorra Tourist Board and one of the driving forces behind the project, earlier this week.

The concept, developed over two years, was filmed in full for a forthcoming 50-minute documentary that follows the riders from arrival to departure. “Fans will be able to see the human side of the riders and learn how they prepare,” Budzaku explained.

If the response is positive, the Andorra Cycling Masters could return next year. “If it works, we might make it a tradition,” said Budzaku