Your watts for every climb

How La Purito is raced

The race gives no quarter from kilometre zero: straight out of Sant Julià comes the Coll de la Rabassa, 13 km of unbroken climbing. It’s long and steady — the perfect trap to cook your legs too early. Don’t make it your KOM; ride it at a pace you could repeat five more times, because that’s exactly what the day will ask of you.

After the descent comes the decisive block. The Coll de Jou (km 30) is short and steep: here you can push, it doesn’t last. But right after it stands the queen, the Coll de la Gallina (HC, 8.7 km at 9.2%) — and it comes at half distance, not at the end. That’s the mistake half the field pays for: the Gallina is climbed below your threshold, not flat out. Torch it and you’ll have nothing left for what’s coming — and a lot is coming.

From there the race becomes a rosary of climbs. La Comella (km 59) and the ramp up to the Llac d'Engolasters (km 67) arrive with your legs already loaded: ration your effort, eat and drink; this is managed more than attacked. The Collada de Beixalís (km 82) is one of the most leg-breaking of the day — constant gradient changes, an irregular rhythm; the key is not to blow up on the steep ramps.

And just when you think it’s over, the finish remains: the Coll d'Ordino (km 102), the last big wall up to the line at Sant Miquel de la Mosquera. If you were patient on the Gallina, you’ll have something to give here; if you overdid it, you’ll know. La Purito is won in the head as much as in the legs: pace yourself, respect the queen, and save the finish.