92 | Cycling World
A cycling epic - Quebrantahuesos - ‘The Bonecrusher’
With 198km of spectacular mountain roads and 3500
metres of gruelling ascent it’s not difficult to see why the
largest cycling race in Spain gets called ‘the bonecrusher’.
The circular route crosses the Pyrenees twice as you head
over into France and then back again – all on completely
closed roads.
When and where?
Starting and finishing in Sabiñanigo in the central Spanish
Pyrenees, the 2018 event will take place on 23rd June It’s
held at roughly the same time each year.
The route
Your first challenge is a 30km climb to Col de Somport
(1632m, cat 2) followed by a descent into France. The
short but sharp Col de Marie-Blanque (1035m, cat 1),
with a maximum gradient of 14.5%, is next on the list
before you begin the long 28km ascent of Portalet
(1794m, special category). From then on it’s nearly all
downhill apart from the one final climb: the Hoz de Jaca
(cat 3) - designed to punish tired legs and work up a thirst
for that well-deserved celebratory beer and paella!
How to enter
Though riders generally enter Quebrantahuesos through
a lottery - each year more than 15,000 cyclists apply for
the 8,500 places - BikePyrenees.co.uk run a 7 night/6
day training camp with fully supported training rides
and guaranteed race entry. Prices start from 1269€ per
person for full board.
Top tips for riding Quebrantahuesos
Don’t head off too fast. Individually none of the cols are particularly challenging but together they are a formidable proposition.
Keep warm during the descent from Portalet. After the third and hardest ascent, it’s easy to relax the legs and freewheel. However, you will need
to keep the legs warm to avoid cramp and prepare yourself for the steep climb to Hoz de Jaca.
Prepare for any weather. Conditions on the French and Spanish sides can vary, anywhere between blizzards and baking heat so keep an eye on
the forecast and pack accordingly.
Beware of cycling with friends. It’s great fun to compete with a group of friends but make sure you all have the same level of fitness. One rider
just a bit fitter than the rest or pushing too hard will quickly burn out the legs of friends that are not as strong.
Pick up your race number on Friday. Save yourself the stress and pick everything up, your maillot and race number, the day before, giving you
a chance to look at all the latest kit at the cycle show.