The roads of the Sierra de Espadán were once again full of cyclists on Saturday 22 April with the III Desafío 10 Picos Sierra de Espadán. The ride organised by the Valencian cyclist Ángel Casero brought together more than 500 cyclists in front of the Museu del Taulell in Onda, from where they set off to cover 138.2 or 79.5 kilometres, depending on whether they chose the longer or shorter distance. A festive day that has also served to pay tribute to two essential groups for the dispute of this type of cycling marches, the Guardia Civil de Tráfico and the fire brigade. The day started at 07:30 with the start of the long route, with Iban Mayo leading the way. The Basque cyclist has been the ambassador of ‘La 10 Picos’ this 2023, taking over from Vicente Aparicio (2022) and Joseba Beloki (2021). Just before the start, the more than 500 participants observed a respectful minute’s silence in memory of the Guardia Civil de Tráfico officer Dámaso Guillén, who died while protecting a cadet cycling race; and also of the Guardia Civil who died on Friday 21 April in Castellón after being hit by a cement mixer while cycling. After this well-deserved tribute, the more than 400 cyclists on the long route took the start, followed half an hour later by the more than 100 on the short route. Ahead, a morning to enjoy cycling and the spectacular landscapes of the Sierra de Espadán, but also to suffer with the 10 climbs that must be overcome to reach the finish line also in front of the Museu del Taulell de Onda. Just before the usual giant paella in this ’10 Picos’, a heartfelt tribute was paid to the Fire Brigade and Volunteer Firefighters of the province of Castellón, for their tireless fight against forest fires, more specifically against the recent fire that devastated much of the area surrounding the Sierra de Espadán. Toni Hernández, corporal of the Nules Fire Station, and Pepe Balaguer, Chief of the Onda Volunteer Fire Station, received a commemorative plaque from Ángel Casero to the applause of the many participants who had already completed their route. In short, a new success of participation in a ‘Desafío 10 Picos Sierra de Espadán’ that has become in recent years one of the reference cycling marches of the national calendar.