How seriously should we take a spectacular season finale in Andorra with Pogacar, Vingegaard, Del Toro and Roglic?

When the organization posted a photo of Vingegaard on social media on September 29, no one really knew what it meant. On the same day, a pamphlet followed with Pogacar and Roglic pictured, the name of the race, and the one-liner: “One ride. One Story. One Winner.” Del Toro was also announced separately.

On October 1, the organization wrote: “The countdown is almost over.” Cycling fans probably didn't know there was a countdown, but the date of October 19 was dropped, with a little more explanation: “Andorra will be the scene of a historic showdown. Four champions, against each other, no teams, no excuses. Pogacar, Vingegaard, Roglic, and Del Toro.”

The announcement mentioned “a relentless time trial on the Coll de la Gallina,” an 11.7-kilometer climb with an average gradient of 8.4 percent. On July 18 of this year, Giulio Ciccone set the best Strava time of 37 minutes and 54 seconds. Also on October 19: “an exciting urban circuit in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany” as the backdrop for the true master of the mountains.”

“See you in October, let’s see what it’s all about,” said Del Toro. “I can’t wait to be back in Andorra,” laughed Vingegaard. The official program? The time trial starts on Sunday at 9:00 AM local time from Bixessarri, heading towards the top of the Coll de la Gallina. After a good half hour of climbing, the four participants are expected in Andorra la Vella at 10:30 AM local time for the neutralized start.

At 11:00 AM local time, the starting shot will be fired on a 2.14-kilometer circuit, where 15 laps will be ridden towards the finish in Escaldes-Engordany. “Speed, guts, and the echo of the crowd,” is how the loop is described. It won’t take too long, because the podium ceremony is already scheduled for 12:30 PM local time. There is even a specially designed trophy waiting for the winner.

"Cycling needs new ideas, and this event is one of them. I'm sure the fans will really enjoy it," says Vingegaard on the event's official homepage. But is it a kind of criterium, where there is a lot of money to be made? Is the winner already known in advance? How serious is all this?

Organizer Betim Budzaku told Sporza, “If our first edition is a success, we want to organize the same event next year with other riders. We would very much like to have Remco Evenepoel there. We want to show more than just the sporting side,” he said, referring to a documentary that will follow in December.

How will the winner be determined? "In the criterium, the riders will sprint for points at the end of each lap. The overall winner will be determined by adding up the times in the climbing time trial and the points earned in the criterium. Fortunately, I don't have to do the math. The winner is mainly symbolic. Above all, we want to make it a spectacular cycling show that reaches the general public through a documentary show."