IRATI XTREM is an epic gran fondo traveling through some of the most beautiful, unknown and toughest areas of the Pyrenees straddling Spain and France.

The route covers 128km with 8 climbs totaling 3600m of altitude.  The toughest climb and real ass kicker is Larrau, one of the mythical cols of the Pyrenees, which the Tour de France climbed in 2007.  Only 11.8 km long it averages 8% while rising 944m.

Conditions this year were a little damp, but it didn’t slow down riders chasing the Larrau KOM/QOM.  Asier Irigoien won in 40:52 for men, Amaia Urkidi at 51:10 for women and paracyclist Jaume Masafret in 57:51.

The record is 38:14 set in 2018 by 44-year-old masters rider Raul Portillo, who tested positive for EPO in 2019 and has been suspended by the Basque Anti-Doping Agency.  Just for reference, the fastest WorldTour professional to climb Larrau is Euskaltel – Euskadi rider Jorge Azanza who reached the summit in 38:50 in 2012.

Photos: Erati Extrem

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