Javier Guillendirector of the Tour of Spain, is looking forward to the start of the 78th edition of the round from Barcelona, a special setting for a competition that grows every year and that in 2023 can offer “one in the best race in history ” based on exceptional participation and a route designed to live strong emotions until the final goal in Madrid.
“In principle, with the participation we have and the route, we are facing one of the best offers for the fans. It will be a great edition, but because this is not how it starts, but how it ends, we will see the results at the end, but we are excited and have great expectations,” said Guillen in an interview with EFE.
Guillen admitted that he “did not expect” the participation that was finally confirmed, with the presence, among others, of the last winners of the three grand tours, Remco Evenepoel (lap), Roglic is a cousin (turn around) and Jonas Vingegaard (Tour).
“The truth is that I did not expect this participation. We did not know before how to present the issue of registration for the Tour with the World Cup dispute. That is why we made a media tour to get the attention of the audience. We knew that the list of participants would be nice, but when Jonas Vingegaard He said that he would come put the climax. This Vuelta aims to be one of the best,” he said.
The route excites Guillén, true to the unique characteristics of the Vuelta, providing options in traditional settings and unprecedented areas, always with the aim of maintaining interest until the last kilometer.
“The Vuelta has a huge appeal, from Barcelona, which is always a great claim. Then, on the third day, it will have a summit finish in Andorra, later mythical scenarios like the Tourmalet and Angliru, then the arrival in Caravaca, in Bejes , the double passage in Cruz de Linares, the time trial in Valladolid and the “classic” in Madrid on the penultimate day, a stage without rest, difficult to control”.
The “great discovery” of this 78th edition of the Vuelta, according to Guillén, is Puerto de la Cruz de Linares, in Asturias.
“It’s a huge cycling port, very long, it has 2 parts, it’s demanding even though it has a little break, but not much. It’s a good idea to make two steps above in the eighteenth stage. It will be a great discovery of this person.”
In the sole absence of the Slovenian elite Tadej Pogacar, Where the Vuelta waits with open arms for subsequent editions, the Spanish round proves “with brutal participation” the tendency to grow year by year.
“I think the Vuelta in recent years is the one that has grown the most. We came from a lower step than the Tour and the Giro, but the general situation of this sport, with fantastic cyclists and our profile of short stages and explosive finals, With innovations every year, we see that the trend is growing. La Vuelta, in Spain, is the sport with the greatest impact after football,” he explained.
The director of the Vuelta relies on the fact that “the numbers are a good thermometer and we see that they are growing every day.”
“We have better TV contracts, loyal sponsors, the advertising portfolio is growing, more offers from abroad for the Vuelta to appear in other countries… the Vuelta is growing every year.”
Regarding the covid health situation, the Vuelta will apply, according to its director, “the same protocol as the Tour”.
“The priority is to protect the runners. Special attention will be paid to the areas of the team buses, around the podium, etc. Now there is no health alarm, we have to live in this situation, although taking measures in avoidance”.
Source: La Verdad
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