Tres Nacions – three countries in one day

Established in 1979, the ‘Tres Nacions’ is one of the longest-running cycling events in Spain. After taken a covid related break in 2020 (the only one since it was established), the 2021 event returned with a vengeance, seeing almost 1,500 riders lining up at the start line of the 41^st edition of the ‘Tres Nacions’.

The ‘Tres Nacions’ is a road sportive or Gran Fondo of a rather particular kind. What sets this 140 km and 2,400 m of climbing event in the Pyrenees apart from the rest is that the course goes through all together three countries. It starts in Spain before heading into Andorra, followed by a short visit to France, to finally return to Spain for the grand finale.

Taking place in his home country and in fact starting and finishing in his home town of Puigcerdà, it is no surprise that former World Champion and living mountain bike legend José Antonio Hermida did not just take part in the event but is also the main organiser behind this festival of road cycling since 2019 when the local cycling club entrusted him with running the ‘Tres Nacions’.

‘It is not about racing, it is not about performance, this event is about meeting friends and enjoying the challenge together’, commented José after crossing the finish with a big smile on his face and the well-deserved finishing medal around his neck.

Check out his event report video showing what the ‘Tres Nacions’ is all about.