Almost a thousand cyclists, including some big names like Purito Rodríguez, Belén López, and Javi Moreno, showed up for the third edition of the Great Background Jaén Paraíso on Saturday, February 15. The weather was just perfect, offering participants a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the roads of Olivos de Vandelvira, Mar de Olivos, Juancaballo, Santa Eulalia, and Guadalupe – just two days before the professionals take to the same roads for a classic event, and on the eve of the women’s youth UCI Cup competition. This event, sponsored by the Diputación de Jaén, got off to a flying start.
The Special Jersey
Those who opted for the Premium option of the Great Fund Jaén Paraíso Inner, over 200 cyclists, got to wear a special jersey designed by Pissei for the occasion. It’s a beautiful piece, with careful attention to detail and a palette of green, organic colors that perfectly complements the landscape and environment of the Humanity Heritage City of Úbeda, which hosts this event. So, what makes this jersey so special? Well, for starters, it’s a great conversation starter – and it explains the significance of this event in a unique way.
Women’s Youth Squad
This Sunday, February 16, the UCI Cup Jaén Paraíso Interior kicks off the women’s youth season. The route, which starts and ends in Úbeda, covers a total of 76.5 kilometers, passing through San Miguel, Torreperagil, Sabiote, and Santa Eulalia. The last 30 kilometers include four roads lined with olive trees: Juancaballo, Santa Eulalia, Guadalupe, and Vandelvira. This race marks the beginning of the UCI Cup, a global competition for young cyclists consisting of a series of events held in countries with a rich cycling tradition, such as the Netherlands, France, and Italy. But, you might ask, what makes this event so important? The answer lies in the talented squad of cyclists it attracts.
Thirteen teams from Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Portugal will compete, with a total of 77 cyclists vying for the top spot. The Spanish team, led by Paula Ostiz, the world runner-up and European Champion, is looking strong. Internationally, the British team and the NXTG Racing U19 are also contenders to watch. The NXTG Racing U19 will feature the Belgian National Champion Auke de Buysser and the double Greek national champion Eirini Papadimitriou, while the Restore Cycling Holland Dutch team boasts the talented Swedish cyclist Nora Nyman and the Finnish Elisabet Kapanen. It’s going to be an exciting competition, with these talented cyclists competing for the coveted double gold olive award.