Luis León Sánchez (Mula, 39 years old), will be one of the attractions in its premiere at the Titan Desert in Almería that takes place from the 7th to the 10th with 400 titans at the start and the sea, the mountains and the desert as an idyllic setting for the premiere of a "new life" for the Murcian, just a few weeks after putting an end to a 19-year career as a road professional.
Luisle debuts in another different setting and with a bicycle that has nothing to do with the road bike, but with the enthusiasm of a beginner and the clear objective of enjoying without taking too many risks.
"It's time to enjoy cycling, without the obligation to go out to train every day, without the demands of numbers. It's time to enjoy other modalities, that's why I plan to run the Titan Desert in Almería and Saudi Arabia. Cycling It also has the option of gravel, but for now I will focus on mountain biking to enjoy and spend time with cycling fans," says "Luisle" one day before the start of the Almeria race.
With little training after his fall and injury in the Vuelta, the four-time Spanish time trial champion, 1 on the road and 4 stages in the Tour de France will leave El Toyo tomorrow with the idea of enjoying the experience.
"What I want is to enjoy, and then we'll see what happens in the race. I don't want to take too many risks and suffer falls. My goal is to have a good time in a race where I'm going to meet runners that I've known since I was a kid, like David Arroyo or Luis Ángel Maté, and I want to enjoy with them," he comments.
Betalú, the "desert fox" asks for passage
On the list of entrants, they are looking for the successor of the Swiss Konny Looser, winner in 2022, as well as his partner, Vera Looser, who won in women.
A candidate in his own right will be the most successful cyclist in the history of the Titan, the 'desert fox', Josep Betalú, with 4 titles in Morocco.
Along with 'Beta', other experts of the race, such as Miquel Faus, Fran Herrero, Miguel Muñoz, Tomi Misser or Nicolás Mercader will try to put up a fight and fight for the red jersey.
José Antonio Hermida, one of the historic Spaniards in mountain biking, will be another presence to take into account, a true myth with 5 participations in the Olympic Games, silver in Athens 2004, world champion, former world number one in XCO (cross Olympic country) and winner of several World Cup events.
Although he already participated last year, Luis Ángel Maté is also almost a newcomer. The Euskaltel rider has just won a stage in the Volta a Portugal and returns to the Škoda Titan Desert Almería to recover the good feelings that he already had in his debut in 2022.
There seem to be fewer contenders, but also of an enormous level, in the women's draw. Vera Looser left very few options for her rivals in the last edition and her absence opens up a range of runners to assault the throne of Namibia.
The Dutch woman living in Spain Tessa Kortekaas gave a true exhibition in the last Škoda Titan Desert Morocco, from which she emerged the overall winner and with a performance for history in the fifth stage of the race.
Ariadna Ródenas, for her part, has the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco and the NEOM Titan Desert Saudi Arabia under her belt. He only has Almería left to be able to take on the three tests of the Titan World Series universe.
Mónica Calderón is running as another of the candidates to be at the top in the general classification. The Colombian would come to complete the excellent Cannondale team in Almería. And finally, we must highlight Pilar Fernández from Madrid, who was second overall in the Škoda Titan Desert Almería 2022.
The Titan de Almería consists of 4 stages that will feature the classic day in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. A loop stage from El Toyo where you will have to overcome sandy boulevards. They will be followed by two mountain days in which the Sierra de la Alhamilla will take center stage and the mythical port of Velefique will be ascended, in the considered queen stage.
This third stage is not only the one with the greatest mileage, but at the equator a colossus emerges that is the history of Spanish cycling: the Alto de Velefique.
This climb is emerging as the key point that will define the Titan overall. Especially, taking into account that this section will be where the so-called Skoda Challenge will be held. The runner who completes it first will receive a 60-second bonus in the general standings.
José Antonio Hermida, from his experience, commented on how he will face this difficult day.
"Personally, I will save a little. And the thing is that the climb does not end at the top. Then a false flat awaits us with a final slope. From there, a very rocky and technical trail. So we have to save a little in the climb".
The last day will take place inside the Legion facilities, on a route that is impossible to do if it is not within the organization of the race. A unique opportunity to ride through the Tabernas desert, the largest desert in Europe.
