The Andorra Epic opened on Thursday, 2 July, with early leaders emerging in both elite races.

Scott Racing’s Davide Foccoli and Stefano Goria won the elite men’s opening stage after a late move. Massi ISB Sport’s Monica Calderon and Costanza Fasolis took the elite women’s victory more decisively.

The 2026 race began with a 49-kilometre stage from Pal Arinsal Bike Park. Riders faced 1,440 metres of climbing at high altitude. The route started near 2,000 metres above sea level.

That altitude reduced the day’s total elevation gain, but not the difficulty. The course climbed to Coll de Cabús at 2,327 metres. It also crossed Collada Muntaner before the Super Sispony T-Section descent.

An undulating final 10 kilometres gave the strongest teams room to attack. Scott Racing used that terrain to take control of the men’s race.

Andorra Epic men’s race opens with a narrow battle

Foccoli and Goria were not the most expected winners on the opening day. They still matched the race favourites when the front group formed.

Orbea Speed Company’s Lukas Baum and Georg Egger were among the early leaders. Klimatiza Orbea’s David Valero and Samuele Porro also joined the Italian Scott Racing pair.

After the Super Sispony descent, Foccoli and Goria attacked. Their move gave them a small lead over Valero and Porro. The gap proved enough for the stage victory.

Porro said the final section became nervous after Scott Racing’s acceleration. He added that Klimatiza Orbea finished second without a real gap.

Even so, Scott Racing hold a one-second lead over Valero and Porro in the overall standings. That margin leaves little room for error before the Queen Stage.

Singer KTM Racing also remain close enough to matter. Simon Stiebjahn and Martin Frey finished third on the stage. They sit 1 minute and 59 seconds off the race lead.

Defending champions Sebastian Gesche and Marc Stutzmann started solidly for Klimatiza Orbea. They finished fourth on Stage 1.

Valero noted that Gesche and Stutzmann will play an important role over the next three days. Klimatiza Orbea came to Andorra targeting the overall win and stage victories.

Scott Calabandida’s Jose Maria Sanchez Ruiz and Alberto Barroso Gomez placed fifth. They finished just 13 seconds ahead of Massi ISB Sport’s Marti Aran Calonja and Axel Roudil-Cortinat.

Baum and Egger ended the day in seventh after their strong start. They remain likely stage contenders across the remaining mountain stages.

Calderon and Fasolis seize women’s leaders’ jerseys

Massi ISB Sport made a stronger start in the elite women’s race. Calderon and Fasolis claimed the win and the first leaders’ jerseys.

Calderon has already won stages and overall titles in the Epic Series. However, her partnership with Fasolis had not fully clicked at April’s 4Islands Epic.

The pair arrived in Andorra with more experience together. That progress showed after a difficult start to the stage for Torpado Kenda FSA.

Torpado Kenda FSA’s Katazina Sosna-Pinelė and Giorgia Marchet led through the first aid station. That point came at Coll de la Botella after 20 kilometres.

A puncture then derailed their stage. The mechanical problem eventually cost them more than 20 minutes.

That setback likely damaged Torpado Kenda FSA’s overall hopes. Still, the team should remain a threat for stage victories.

After the puncture, Calderon and Fasolis raced with Maria Zarantonello and Chrystelle Baumann. The Metallurgica Veneta Pro – Next Ride pair stayed with them deep into the stage.

Massi ISB Sport then attacked with just over 10 kilometres remaining. Calderon and Fasolis reached the finish 2 minutes and 9 seconds ahead.

Calderon said taking the leaders’ jerseys gave the team confidence. She also warned that the next three days would bring a major fight.

Behind the winners, Zarantonello and Baumann finished second. ISB Cyclistwork Factory’s Meritxell Figueras Garangou and Alba Teruel Ribes took third.

Bauhaus Cycling finished fourth, with Velo Kartell x R-Suspension MTB in fifth. Torpado Kenda FSA finished seventh, 22 minutes and 53 seconds behind the winners.

Queen Stage offers chance for comeback

Stage 2 brings the Queen Stage and a major escalation in climbing. The route covers 61 kilometres with 2,200 metres of ascent.

It also includes 2,300 metres of descending. The day reaches the highest point of the 2026 race at Llac de Pessons.

That summit sits 2,350 metres above sea level. The stage gives Torpado Kenda FSA a chance to attack after their opening-day puncture.

If Sosna-Pinelė and Marchet regain 10 minutes on Friday, they could move back toward the overall fight. The women’s race still has three demanding stages remaining.

The men’s overall battle also remains finely balanced. Scott Racing lead, but Klimatiza Orbea sit only one second behind.

Foccoli expects the long climbs to suit him and Goria. Stage 2 should quickly test whether Scott Racing can defend their early Andorra Epic lead.

For additional reporting, see diverge.info.