The third most important sporting event in the world committed to the Val d’Aran at its 9th stage, with a very mountainous route of spectacular natural environment and great tourist attraction.
The Val d’Aran is about to offer a reception worthy of one of the most important sporting events in the world to the caravan of the Tour de France, which is already on his way to Aran lands. Host city of the event for the first time in its history, Vielha will be the starting point of the ninth stage of the cycling competition next July 10, an itinerary of 184.5 km that will cross five mountain passes to finish in Arcalis (Andorra).
Characterized by choosing emblematic places of scenic beauty, the Tour de France has chosen this beautiful stage for its spectacular natural setting, great attractions, and for being very mountainous, making it particularly attractive for cyclists. Not surprisingly, the ninth stage, with more than 100 km by the Catalan Pyrenees, is one of those chosen to be broadcasted live on television entirely.
From Vielha to Bonaigua
The parking of the former military barracks in the Aranese capital will host the kick-off of the stage at 10am on Sunday July 10. The route through the Aranese territory is about 20 kilometres from the county road C28 from Vielha to Port de la Bonaigua, stretch of about one hour.
In the Val d’Aran, the Tour will pass through the picturesque villages of Betren, Escunhau, and Casarilh, pedaling to the right of the Garonne and crossing it up to Garòs where it will leave Mijaran to follow, yet in Naut Aran, on the left bank of the river across Arties, Gessa, Salardu, Tredòs, and Baqueira.
From the ski resort will arrive at Port de la Bonaigua, where runners will face a first class climb, 13.7 km to 6.1%, leaving the Val d’Aran to enter the Pallars Sobirà and follow the Alt Urgell on the road to Andorra, the end of the stage.
Animation in the village
An animated village will be installed next to the starting line to receive and entertain fans, tourists and accredited media. There may be photographed next to the photocall of the Tour, enjoy animations with children dressed in costumes and browse in the exhibition of products and typical dishes of the Aranese cuisine. In addition, it will be a tourist information point of the Conselh Generau d’Aran.
It will also be used to publicize the unique environment of the Val d’Aran: the beauty of its landscape, the excellence of Baqueira Beret ski resort, the richness of its Romanesque heritage, the museum diversity, the delicacies of its cuisine, the fun adventure activities and the attractive proposals offered by the valley throughout the year.
The Tour de France, the third largest sporting event in the world – with 2000 accredited journalists from 600 different media and belonging to 190 countries- marks the international projection of the Val d’Aran and helps to make it becoming one of the best European tourist mountain destinations, both in winter and summer.
Culmination of an attractive program of events
The Val d’Aran has turned into the celebration of this event, in recent months organizing events of various kinds, from the popular “La Fête du Tour” to the tribute to seven Spanish winners of the race, with the placement of a commemorative monolith in the Port of Portilhon, which has already become a referent place for cycling fans. Across the valley are deployed posters and banners announcing the stage, which was presented in Toulouse, Vielha and Barcelona.
The Aranese citizens have actively participated in the event, placing reproductions of the monolith in establishments participating children in a school drawing contest and even with original initiatives as a cake shaped bicycle exposed in a pastry in Vielha. In addition, it has been activated the microsite Aran Total Bike where can be found all the information necessary for the practice of cycling in the valley.
Deploying of services
Given that attendance of 25,000 spectators along the stage is planned, the law enforcement will mobilize about 700 agents. In addition, the Conselh Generau has released a document with traffic cuts on Sunday in the C28 and the internal public transportation between Vielha and Baqueira will also suffer restrictions on Sunday morning.
On the other hand, there have been enabled four zones of temporary parking in Vielha for this weekend available from Saturday 9, the old football field, college Garonne, field Mijaran next to the church (N-230) and Gravera Barba (C-28, between Betren and Escunhau).
