From left to right in the picture : Toni Tauler, medallista en Beijing de ciclismo en pista. Sinto Sanz, responsable de cicloturismo de la Federación Balear de Ciclismo. Miquel Alzamora, Presidente del Club Ciclista Artanenc y promotor de la Mallorca 312. Arturo Sintes, Presidente de la Federación Balear de Ciclismo. Pedro Horrillo, ex-ciclista profesional y dorsal 312 (homenajeado por la organización), Xisco Lliteras, Director y Promotor de la Mallorca 312. Joan Horrach y Roger Hammon, Ciclistas profesionales y Martin Birney de SportActive.

Only seven other events in the world have achieved the organisational standard to be accredited into the series. The unique route and commitment of the organisers to have a perfectly organised event will see them achieve their objective very quickly.

The Mallorca 312 offered a choice of two routes, one of 167 km and the other, as the name suggests, 312 km.

Mallorca is the principle base of the SportActive Cycling Centre and the island is a focal point for many hundreds of thousands of cyclists every year. The island is geared to cycling with many dedicated roads and a variety of terrain to select from when choosing the route to take.

Cycling is also an extremely popular sport with the inhabitants of the island and the membership of the various cycling clubs totals almost ten thousand. Naturally with these aspects, the reliable weather and the increased popularity of cycling sportive events, Mallorca is a natural venue to hold a major world class event and an incredible event it was.

The SportActive team for this first Mallorca 312 consisted of twelve cyclists, four of which took the challenge of the 167 km route. With both routes covering the first 90 km together all participants rolled out at the 7am start, the police escort took the group through Alcudia to Port Pollenca at a relaxed pace before commencing in the direction of the days first climb.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to have Pro Tour and Cervélo classic rider Roger Hammond join the SportActive team for the day. Roger has rode with us before in Mallorca and enjoys the SportActive approach to cycling and on hearing of the event was keen to give it a go whilst enjoying a break from competition. He was joined on the sportive by several other professional riders keen to experience a lap of the island. Roger's presence was an incredible boost for the team and his experience a valuable asset to the day.

Climbing out of Soller into Deia the sun was rising in the clear blue sky and with temperatures in the mid twenties it was developing into a fantastic day for this incredible adventure. With the roads taken over by cyclists the route through Deia to Valldemosa was nothing short of spectacular with some of Europe's most beautiful coastal scenery. At Valldemosa the routes diverged with the 167 km route turning to descend toward s'Esglaieta, but not before an extended lunch stop in Valldemosa!

From there the group went toward S. Maria to Alaro, Loseta and Selva then turning on to the fantastic bike roads around Campanet before dropping into Pollenca on route to Alcudia and the finish at Platja de Muro. All the 167 km team rode exceptionally well and supported each other to achieve the challenge and importantly enjoy the day. Indeed the conclusion was that due to the constantly varying terrain the 167 km route with 2,588 m of climbing was deceivingly more difficult than it first appeared and was one of the most challenging sportive many had undertaken. The finish at the Iberostar hotel was a welcome sight and a very pleasant venue for a finish to relax and reflect on the day, taking comfort that although a tough day, the 312 km riders still had a long way to ride before they would enjoy the relaxation of the hotel.

The next part of the ride took the riders through Palma and out to S'Arenal toward Cap Blanc and Santanyi.The heat of the day took its toll on Philip who showed the early signs of sunstroke. Caution was exercised and for health reasons it was decided for Philip to take a break and get into the support vehicle where he was looked after by Anita and Rocky.

Anita must be thanked for all her support in ensuring all the 312 cyclists took their food and water and was always there to assist with anyone's requirements, her experience with cyclists and their needs was invaluable to the team and her 'nursing' skills assisted Philips recovery as the day progressed!

With the terrain now flatter this allowed the group to maintain a more structured formation so as to cover ground quicker and conserve energy. There where signs of fatigue starting to show but with over 230 km covered. This was to be expected as most of the group headed into un-experienced distance.

With Aisling, Roger, Martin and Alastair riding strong their experience was important to keeping the team as an efficient unit that was now being utilised by many of the other 312 km riders. Continuing to Porto Cristo and the steep testing rise out of it the 250 km barrier was broken and the team was in good shape, conversation and humour was still present and indeed the team unity was paying off as all the riders where still strong and the remaining distance covered surprisingly fast.

In fact the fitness of the team was exceptional. The experienced riders know what to expect and how to prepare and ride such endurance events, but for the first attempt at serious distance, Johnny, Barry and Jill rode an incredible sportive ; they had prepared meticulously for this event and it was so evident in the way it was ridden and how they performed, cycling strong right to the end with even Johnny throwing down the challenge of a finish sprint against Roger!

It was congratulations to everyone on a truly exceptional and memorable day !

The finishing pasta party and reception at the event H.Q. the Iberostar hotel, was a fantastic conclusion to the day, with SportActive collecting the award for best team, something we are proud of as it aligns to the ethos of SportActive and is a recognition of one of our core objectives at the Mallorca Cycling Centre.

For the second edition the organisers have moved the Mallorca 312 to May 14th, 2011.

This is an incredibly unique and fantastically organised event. Throughout the route there is support and the challenge is pleasurable in what is a cyclists paradise, Mallorca.

SportActive will be supporting this event and together with the organisers we shall be co-ordinating a cycling package to enjoy the SportActive experience and take part in one of the worlds best sportive.

Check our web page for details and make sure you are there on May 14th, 2011 !

...see the pictures of Mallorca 312

by Alastair Irvine, 11/06/2010