2023 Vuelta a Espana - Barcelona Start Hospitality Cycling Holiday

Barcelona is a city with a long-standing sporting tradition with close ties to cycling. This fact is evident through the numerous sporting events that take place there throughout the year – the Volta a Catalunya and the City of Barcelona International Track Cycling or Mountain Bike Trophy, in particular.

The last time La Vuelta stopped in Barcelona was in the race’s 2012 edition. The 9th stage left from Andorra and ended at Montjuïc, with Belgian rider Philippe Gilbert crossing the finish-line in first place.

Barcelona already hosted La Vuelta’s official departure in 1962, with a first linear stage spanning over 90 km that both started and ended within the city itself. Victory went to Antón Barrutia. The last time Barcelona held a time trial was back in 1978, also in Montjuïc. Victory went to Bernard Hinault, who inaugurated a brilliant victory tally featuring five Tours de France, three Giros d’Italia and two Vueltas.

The City of Barcelona has also seen the Tour de France ride through in 2009, with a stage finale won by Norwegian rider Thor Hushovd (stage 6) and the departure of the 7th stage. It also hosts an emblematic and historic cycling race every year: the Volta a Catalunya.
Barcelona is now preparing to receive La Vuelta once again. The event will be broadcast on TV in almost 200 countries, with daily average ratings of 1.5 million viewers in Spain. The race mobilises a travelling caravan that transports over 2500 people, among them over 600 journalists from around 20 countries, and over 200 different types of media.