With the start of La Vuelta 23 just two months away, Barcelona City Council and Unipublic have announced the final details on the routes and times of the two stages to be held in the city. As preparations progress, the Catalan capital has now started the countdown to host one of the most prestigious cycling events in the world, 61 years after it last set off from the city in 1962.
David Escudé, the Councillor for Sport, said: “The city is preparing a high-level operation so that the great sporting spectacle that is the start of La Vuelta stays in the memory for years to come. This will be a spectacular start to the competition, with our city as the backdrop and taking in some of the capital’s most iconic streets. We hope everybody will enjoy seeing top international cyclists compete right by their homes”.
First stage: team sprint against the clock
Spectators will be able to enjoy an exciting team sprint against the clock around various iconic parts of the city on Saturday, 26 August. The event gets under way at the Somorrostro beach at 7 pm and concludes in Av. Reina Maria Cristina at 9 pm, covering a distance of 14.6 km. Spectators will be able to see teams taking part in the official training session at 4 pm.
Route: Somorrostro beach, C/ Marina, Pl. Voluntaris Olímpics, C/ Marina, C/ Ramon Turró, C/ Sardenya, C/ Pujades, Pg. Pujades, Pg. Lluís Companys, Pg. Sant Joan, C/ Casp, C/ Lepant, C/ Sancho de Ávila, C/ Badajoz, Av. Diagonal, C/ Cristóbal de Moura, C/ Bac de Roda, C/ Guipúscoa, C/ Aragó, C/ Lepant, C/ Mallorca, C/ Roger de Llúria, C/ Rosselló, Pg. Gràcia, C/ Aragó, C/ Tarragona, Pl. Espanya, Av. Reina Maria Cristina
Second stage to finish at the legendary Olympic Stadium
La Vuelta 23 continues with the second stage on Sunday, 27 August, setting off from Mataró at 12 noon and culminating at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona after entering the city on the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and an intense climb up Montjuïc. While this stage doesn’t involve any great difficulties, it will be quite a challenge for the cyclists more geared towards speed. Riders are expected to reach Barcelona between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm.
Route: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Pl.Espanya, Av. Reina Maria Cristina, Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, C/ Polvorí, Túnel de la Foixarda, Camí de la Foixarda, C/ Foixarda, Av. Montanyans, C/ Mirador del Palau Nacional, Pg. Santa Madrona, Av. Miramar, C/ Torreforta, Carretera de Montjuïc, C/ Castell, Pg. Migdia, C/ Foc, C/ Jocs del 92, Av. Estadi
Mobility
The city will be immersed in this sports event over the weekend, meaning some disruptions to mobility are expected. In this respect, people in the city are advised to plan their journeys ahead and check the changes to circulation and traffic disruptions using the mobilitat.barcelona website.