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Powerful Start for Klimatiza Orbea at the Andorra Epic

Stutzmann, Gesche, Looser & Du Toit Claim Opening Stage Wins at 2025 Andorra Epic

Sebastian Gesche’s claim that he and Marc Stutzmann felt confident coming into the Andorra Epic paid off as the Klimatiza Orbea combination claimed the first yellow jerseys of the race with a stage win on the opening day. Thursday, 3 July, saw Stage 1 won by the Efficient Safari Essences team, though Vera Looser and Danielle du Toit had to come back from early difficulties to hold off Rosa Van Doorn and Janina Wüst.

Stutzmann, Gesche, Looser & Du Toit Claim Opening Stage Wins at 2025 Andorra Epic Stage 1 of the 2025 Andorra Epic kicked off under clear skies in the Pyrenees, as 275 teams tackled a deceptively tough 43 km route. With two major climbs and thrilling descents, the day’s terrain set the tone early. Klimatiza Orbea and Efficient Safari Essences seized the first UCI Men’s and Women’s victories, with Marc Stutzmann and Sebastian Gesche donning yellow, while Vera Looser and Danielle du Toit took the orange jerseys.

Starting and finishing in La Massana, Stage 1 featured an ascent through the Pal/Arinsal Bike Park to the summit of Collada de Muntaner (2,140 m), followed by a technical descent into Vall de Seturia. After a second climb over Coll de la Botella, the route re-entered the bike park, culminating in the iconic La Commençal singletrack back to the finish.
Stutzmann and Gesche took early control, leading up the first climb. Despite pressure from Jose Dias and Pablo Rodriguez Guede, they held their advantage to win by 16 seconds. Singer KTM Racing’s Simon Stiebjahn and Martin Frey recovered from a slow start to finish third. ORBEA LEATT Speed Company lost over 8 minutes due to punctures and mechanicals, putting them out
of GC contention.

“We were confident and felt great on the first climb,” said Gesche. “Marc is incredible on the descents, so I just trusted his wheel and gave it everything.”

In the women’s race, Looser and Du Toit rode a smart, steady race. Buff Megamo surged early but ran into mechanical issues, allowing Efficient Safari Essences to overtake and maintain their lead. “We paced it well and stayed safe on the descents,” said Looser. “To win with Danielle, especially given our last-minute pairing, is really special.”

Du Toit added: “Racing with Vera is a privilege. This is definitely a career highlight for me.” Looser and Du Toit take a 3:42 lead into Stage 2 over Van Doorn and Wüst. 1VISION’s Daubermann and Noyman are locked in a tight race for third with Fortress Real Estate
Investment, just 31 seconds separating the two teams. Stage 2 features a 46 km route with a significant climb to Coll de Cabús (2,327 m), followed by 1,950 m of descending—highlighted by the Super Sispony trail—before a final climb to Aldosa and the run-in to La Massana.

2025 Andorra Epic Results:
UCI Men Stage 1:
1. Klimatiza Orbea: Marc Stutzmann & Sebastian Gesche (2:02:24)
2. Buff Megamo 2: Jose Dias & Pablo Rodriguez Guede (2:02:40 | +16)
3. Singer KTM Racing: Simon Stiebjahn & Martin Frey (2:05:03 | +2:39)
4. Cyclis - Van den Plas: Robin Ferket & Wout Janssen (2:05:58 | +3:34)
5. Cannondale ISB Sport: Riccardo Chiarini & Peeter Pruus (2:06:00 | +3:36)

UCI Women Stage 1:
1. Efficient Safari Essences: Vera Looser & Danielle du Toit (2:40:31)
2. Buff Megamo : Rosa van Doorn & Janina Wüst (2:44:13 | +3:42)
3. 1VISION: Antonia Daubermann & Naama Noyman (2:49:53 | +9:22)
4. Fortress Real Estate Investment: Ila Stow & Laura Stark (2:50:24 | +9:53)
5. Scott BTB Sport: Cristina Morán Roza & Noemi Moreno Castañeda (2:55:49 | +15:18)

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