Cycling challenge starts in Palmanova

In one form or another the Challenge Ciclista Mallorca has been in existence since 1992.

Always held in late January, it is part of the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Europe Tour. While it has the umbrella name of the Mallorca Challenge, it is in fact a series of events - five trophies for routes with different conditions. It coincides with professional cycling teams' winter training; hence why these teams will have been seen out on the roads in recent days.

Twenty-four teams in all are competing for the men's challenge, this having been preceded - for the first time - by a women's challenge. Among the big-name teams is Spain's Movistar; six of the 24 teams are Spanish.

The first trophy is the Trofeo Calvia, which sets off from Palmanova and heads to Soller before going back.