Pyrenean Powerplay: Scott Racing Triumphs in Thrilling 2026 Andorra Epic Men’s Race

ByMtbApp

The 2026 Andorra Epic delivered an absolute masterclass in high-altitude mountain bike stage racing across the rugged terrain of the Pyrenees. Over four brutal days, the elite men’s category transformed into a high-stakes tactical chess match between tactical brilliance, raw climbing power, and mechanical heartbreak. Ultimately, Davide Foccoli and Stefano Goria of Scott Racing rode a near-flawless campaign to seize the prestigious overall title, narrowly fending off the formidable Spanish-Italian duo from Klimatiza Orbea.

Here is the comprehensive story of how the men’s race unfolded through the mountain passes of Andorra.

Stage 1: Scott Racing Fires the Opening Shot in Pal Arinsal

The race ignited in the high-alpine environment of the Pal Arinsal Bike Park, setting off a 49-kilometer opening stage packed with 1,440 meters of vertical climbing. Starting at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, the thin air immediately tested the peloton as they tackled the punishing ascents to Coll de Cabús (2,327m) and Collada Muntaner.

Pre-race favorites David Valero and Samuele Porro (Klimatiza Orbea) pushed the pace early alongside Orbea Speed Company’s Lukas Baum and Georg Egger. However, the defining moment arrived just after the technical Super Sispony T-Section downhill descent. Recognizing an opening in the undulating final 10 kilometers, Foccoli and Goria launched a fierce, calculated attack.

Klimatiza Orbea scrambled to respond but could not bridge the gap on the fast trails leading into the finish. Scott Racing claimed the opening stage victory in 2:02:42, but their margin was razor-thin—just a single second ahead of Valero and Porro, setting the stage for an intense general classification (GC) battle.

Stage 2: Digging Deep to Conquer the Queen Stage

Stage 2 was the designated Queen Stage—a monstrous 61-kilometer point-to-point epic from Canillo to La Massana, boasting 2,200 meters of climbing and crossing the highest point of the race at Llac de Pessons (2,350m).

Klimatiza Orbea went on a devastating early mission, attacking right from the gun. By the time they reached the high-altitude plateaus, Valero and Porro had built a commanding lead of over a minute, leaving Scott Racing temporarily virtual second on the road. But Goria and Foccoli refused to panic. On the long, relentless drag up the Coll d’Ordino, Foccoli set a brutal tempo that shattered the chasing group and allowed Scott Racing to claw their way back to the leaders.

The finale descended into pure drama. First, Valero and Porro were momentarily slowed down by cows blocking the high singletrack. Then, in the final 15 kilometers down the slippery Collada de Beixalis downhill, Valero suffered a severe rear wheel mechanical failure. With their rivals unable to spin their wheels freely, Scott Racing capitalized completely, storming ahead to take their second consecutive stage win. They crossed the line 1 minute and 57 seconds clear, extending their overall GC cushion.

Stage 3: Orbea Speed Company Striking Back in Naturland

The penultimate stage shifted the battleground to Naturland for a fast-paced 52-kilometer cross-country loop featuring 1,300 meters of climbing and a massive 1,620 meters of descending.

The gradual gradients of the climb to the Spanish Civil War Bunkers allowed the powerhouse riders to flex their muscles. Lukas Baum and Georg Egger of Orbea Speed Company had marked this stage as their prime target, and they executed their plan perfectly. Navigating the tricky descents toward Andorra la Vella, Baum used his deep knowledge of the local trails to guide the front group.

Behind them, the yellow jersey leaders opted for a cautious, defensive approach on the high-speed descents to avoid catastrophic punctures. This gave Klimatiza Orbea the opportunity to strike back. Working together with KTM Spada Brenta Brakes, Valero and Porro pushed hard on the final uphill drag to La Massana. Orbea Speed Company took a spectacular stage victory, while Klimatiza Orbea finished third, successfully slicing 69 seconds out of Scott Racing’s lead. The GC gap plummeted to just 51 seconds heading into the final day.

Stage 4: Tactical Brilliance and Final Glory in La Massana

The grand finale featured a compact, explosive 45-kilometer loop starting and finishing in La Massana, packing 1,650 meters of climbing via the Collada de Muntaner and Coll de la Botella passes.

Klimatiza Orbea entered the day with an aggressive blueprint to overturn their 51-second deficit, launching a heavy assault on the very first climb. Just as Scott Racing appeared to be struggling under the intense pressure, misfortune struck the challengers yet again. Valero suffered a costly puncture on the cross-country loop in Pal. The duo lost nearly two minutes repairing the tire and were forced to make a secondary stop in the tech zone to replace the wheel entirely.

With their closest title rivals out of the picture, Foccoli and Goria immediately adjusted their strategy, dialing back the risk to ensure a safe passage down the infamous, technical La Commençal T-Section singletrack. Up ahead, Gioele de Cosmo and Casey South of Torpado Kenda FSA flew completely under the radar to capture a deserved stage victory. Scott Racing crossed the line safely in second place, arms raised, to officially secure the 2026 elite men’s crown.

2026 Andorra Epic: Final Men’s General Classification Results

Following four days of unrelenting mountain bike action across the Principality of Andorra, the final elite men’s standings concluded as follows:

  • 1. SCOTT RACING: Davide Foccoli & Stefano Goria (9:18:41)
  • 2. KLIMATIZA ORBEA: David Valero & Samuele Porro (9:20:12 | +1:31)
  • 3. SINGER KTM RACING: Simon Stiebjahn & Martin Frey (9:26:21 | +7:40)
  • 4. ORBEA SPEED COMPANY: Lukas Baum & Georg Egger (9:27:54 | +9:13)
  • 5. KTM SPADA | BRENTA BRAKES: Lorenzo Samparisi & Jacopo Billi (9:33:40 | +14:59)

Scott Racing’s masterful combination of climbing prowess, calculated descending, and clinical composure cemented their place in the history books of the global Epic Series.

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