Right in Puigcerdà, Jose’s place, the “Tres Nacions” takes place, one of the most important cyclotourist rides in the national calendar. This ride is known by entering 3 different countries and climbing some mythical climbs like Envalira and Puymorens.

Jose took part in this race as a good training session, in a week with a lot of hours spent on the bike. The Multivan-Merida rider has been up in front right from the beginning, being 3rd at the top of Envalira, but with certain doubts generated by the tough winter conditions that have brought the temperature to decrease below zero degrees, together with the presence of rain, snow and hailstone in some moments.

Jose explains this uncommon situation: ”Today’s images were weird. Nobody could expect a situation like this. Nobody was prepared for that. There were a lot of people in the custom lodges, trying to get warm. I had never seen this in my life, even less in June. We were all in summer clothing and we have found an extreme cold day. With 30kms to go, I have decided to quit. I had already done three hours of good training and all the tough part of the ride was behind. Trying to get to the finish line could only bring health problems just before of the start of the second part of the season”.

Next weekend, Hermida will attend the Racer Cup in Bern, a quality test that will help the Multivan-Merida rider to face first quality riders.