Hoody Tour: Andorra is home to more than 50 WorldTour pros at high altitude

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ANDORRA (VN) – A high altitude camp, low taxes, a thriving cycling community, sunny skies and some of Europe’s steepest roads – welcome to the last home of the peloton.

This mountainous microstate, sandwiched between France and Spain in the heart of the Pyrenees, had long been known for smugglers, duty-free shopping, cheap gasoline, spectacular mountains and winter skiing.

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About a generation ago, some of the biggest names in the peloton began to find this thriving mountain hamlet to be an almost ideal European base as well. Ex-pros Joaquin Rodríguez and Svein Tuft were among the first to land in Andorra.

Today there are over 50 WorldTour level pros living in and around the rugged valleys that make up this new cycling mecca in the peloton.

“It’s like being at home in Colorado,” said Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma), who has lived here for about two years. “I love the mountains. It’s fresh air, good driving, mountain biking, everything, it’s a nice place.

Andorra and the Tour de France have a long history

The Coll de la Galina, shown here in the Vuelta a España 2018, is one of the steepest climbs in Andorra. Photo: Tim de Waele / Getty Images

The Tour de France pedals in Andorra on Sunday and will spend the night Monday for its second and last day of rest, before opening the last week with the start of the stage on Tuesday.

Andorra is a familiar stopover for many regional cycle races, with the Tour, Vuelta a España, Volta a Catalunya, Midi Libre and Setmana Catalana regularly staging stages over the decades. Tom Dumoulin won at Arcalis during the Tour’s last visit to Andorra in 2016.

With the principality, which is co-ruled by the President of France and a Bishop of Spain, being such a hotbed of cycling, it’s no surprise that riders were ultimately drawn to the region.

A big advantage is the integrated altitude that accompanies living in Andorra. Although the valley floor is 1000 m, the upper valleys can reach almost 2000 m. Robert Gesink, for example, lives on the slopes of the Grandvalira ski area, and often posts photos on his Instagram feed.

“I know the roads like the back of my hand,” said Michael Woods (Israel Start-Up Nation), who started the stage in a polka-dot jersey. “It’s going to be great to run there.

For years, expatriate riders have been drawn to these areas of Monaco and Nice along the French Riviera or Girona in northern Spain.

“There are many high profile pros who choose to live here for many reasons,” said Koen de Kort (Trek-Segafredo), who moved to Andorra a few years ago. “People used to live in Monaco or Girona, but now many have realized that living here is good for training and for things like permits and taxes.”

Andorra, which uses the euro but is not officially part of the European Union, has several advantages when it comes to residence permits, a key feature for runners from North America or Australia.

Taxes are also advantageous, with the high end reaching around 10 percent. There are other financial obligations if a runner makes Andorra his “tax residence”, including the requirement of large financial deposits in Andorran banks, but runners can save a lot of money compared to European taxes, which regularly tax around 45 to 50 percent. on salaries over $ 70,000.

So for riders who might have five or 10 years to earn the money, Andorra is a big draw.

Bikers also say that when it comes to accommodation Andorra offers a lot more for the money. A small apartment in Monaco can cost $ 3,000 a month or more; in Andorra riders can rent places for half that price and get double the space.

Many bought houses and apartments and even opened businesses.

“It’s easier for a permit, for me it’s not for tax reasons, so I have to pay taxes in the US,” Kuss said. “I know all the roads very well, and he will have close friends back home. We will drive right past my house there. We usually train with Robert [Gesink] and Georges [Bennett], and Jack Haig.

Altitude is another big plus, and runners live, train and sleep at altitude all the time in Andorra. The principality, about 465 square miles, includes more than 20 major climbs, ranging from about 5 km high to 35 km in length.

If the runners want apartments, they can descend the valley to Spain and hit the open expanses towards the south of Andorra.

The wrong side? There is no train line to Andorra, and the nearest major airport is in Barcelona, ​​almost a three-hour drive on minor roads. For runners who fly all over the world to run, this can be a real inconvenience.

Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation), who moved from Girona to Andorra and kept his promise to participate in the escape on Sunday, said health restrictions linked to COVID-19 would prevent him from seeing his family.

“It’s weird to see all the names you train on,” Martin said. “The stage passes 1.5 km from my home. Unfortunately with COVID, I will not be able to see my wife and child. There will be a lot of friends along the way tomorrow. it’s going to be very hot [Sunday]. Knowing the course will help.





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