MotoGP Stars Race Bikes in Andorra Ahead of Silverstone

With the summer break behind them, several MotoGP riders used the final days before the second half of the season to sharpen their fitness in a very different discipline: cycling. Ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone (7–9 August), Jorge Martin, Pedro Acosta, Alex Rins and Honda test rider Aleix Espargaro took part in the one-day race “La Purito” in Andorra on 2 August.

The event, named after Spanish rider Joaquin “Purito” Rodriguez Oliver, is described by the organizers as Europe’s “most beautiful, entertaining and toughest” cycling tour. Participants can choose between three routes with different difficulty levels. The hardest option stretches to 116 km and includes six climbs, with a total of 4,200 metres of elevation gain.

For Acosta, the challenge clearly lived up to its reputation. After the ride, he posted on Instagram: “Brutal! Ready for Silverstone.” Martin, who has previously entered the famous hill-climb race multiple times, summed up the experience with: “Unforgettable as always! Great guys! Now it’s back to work.”

The report also highlighted Rodriguez Oliver’s career achievements, including stage wins in the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta, and his time as UCI world number one in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

As Silverstone approaches, the riders’ cycling outing in the Pyrenees served as a demanding pre-season tune-up before they return to their MotoGP machines.