Joaquim ’Purito’ Rodríguez

There are few people within the cycling world who do not know Purito. Joaquim Rodríguez: triple stage winner in the Tour de France, ninefold stage winner in La Vuelta, two-time stage winner in the Giro, double GC-vanqeur of the Volta a Catalunya and so on, and so on. Purito was one of the best pro-cyclists of his generation. Nowadays, he calls himself an ‘amateur cycling enthusiast in the purest form’.

Purito’s father was also a cyclist in his day, and subsequently a team director. So perhaps it was of little surprise that the young Joaquín would become a cyclist himself, making his way to the highest ranks of professional cycling. Now at 46 years’ old, the Catalan ‘cycling enthusiast’ is proudly organising his own Gran Fondo which takes place in Andorra in August, and rides his bike for pure pleasure.

It’s no surprise that his favourite route in Andorra is indeed his own Gran Fondo, a route that essentially encompasses every single climb that the country has to offer. For Purito, the mountains are the most attractive feature of the entire country. “Those are the main attractions here,” he says, “and they help put Andorra on the map of the cycling world. Over the last fifteen years, Andorra has become a country visited frequently by a large number of cyclists – and not only professionals.”

His event, La Purito, has surely contributed significantly to the growth of cycling tourism in Andorra. Rodr.guez himself hopes to continue contributing to the local cycling scene. “Everyone in Andorra has gotten used to sharing the roads with cyclists. We inspire the younger generations by having an active lifestyle on two wheels. This is where I want to continue developing the Andorran cycling scene: with our sport we contribute to a better future.”

This story is part of Nafent Magazine volume 15. Read the full story in our digital or paper magazine. Go to our webshop to get yours.