Mallorca Cycling Challenge 2012

three major trophy winning riders

Over its 21 years the Mallorca Cycling challenge has seen some of the biggest names in the sport competing (and often winning) in it -  Alejandro Valverde, Laurent Jalabert and Alex Zulle – to name just a few. This year will be no different with three major trophy winning riders from the big tours of 2011 on show: Alberto Contador (Italy), Cadel Evans (France) and Juanjo Cobo (Spain.)

The race is held over four stages:
Sunday 5th Feb: Trofeo Palma.
Monday 6th Feb: Trofeo Migjorn.
Tuesday 7th Feb: Trofeo Deià.
Wednesday 8th Feb: Trofeo final.

It's a very important event for Mallorca not just because it's prominence in the sporting world, but for the publicity it brings to the island. Shown on Spain's Teledeporte channel every day and in countless sports bulletins the race shows the beautiful winter weather and scenery of the island as well as highlighting how suited it is for 'winter' activities like cycling, hiking and so on.

If you can't receive Teledeporte, the official website has news, photos and details of the routes updated regularly so fans can keep abreast of the event.

Published 24 January 2012 Stephen White.