The ikurriña will take the streets of Euskadi during the Tour
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Euskadi's support for cycling is unconditional, as is demonstrated by the fact that every year the ikurriña (Basque flag) colours the Pyrenees and other major mountain passes of the Tour de France. This year, the roads, towns and cities of the Basque Country will be dressed in the red, green and white that will be worn by thousands of fans on 1, 2 and 3 July.
Bingen Zupiria, Minister of Culture and Language Policy and Spokesperson for the Basque Government, has presented the activities organised to mark the arrival of the Tour de France in the Basque Country. The start of the countdown to the 100 days, the cycle rides and family cycling festivals in the three territories will be the highlights of the celebrations.
The presentation brought together representatives of the Basque institutions involved in the project as well as cyclists with a close relationship with the Tour de France, such as Marino Lejarreta, Roberto Laiseka and Eneritz Iturriaga, among others. The presentation served to call on Basque citizens to take the ikurriña to the streets and to spread the passion with which Basque fans have historically experienced the Pyrenean stages of the Tour de France to every corner of the Basque Country.
"The arrival of the Tour de France is a great opportunity to show the great passion felt in the Basque Country for cycling", said Zupiria. One of the ways of showing this enthusiasm will be by cycling on our roads. The Grand Départ Pays Basque, as well as organising a replica of the first stage of the Tour with L'ÉTAPE BILBAO BY TOUR DE FRANCE (11 June), is also collaborating in the development of two special editions of two traditional cycle touring races in the Basque calendar, the Donostia Baiona-Donostia (13 May) and the Vitoria Cycle Tour (24 June).
As the government spokesman explained, "there will also be a host of activities for families. The BiziTour Jaiak, organised by the Euskadi Cycling Foundation, will be a highlight". Donostia San Sebastián (7 May), Vitoria-Gasteiz (4 June) and Bilbao (25 June) will each host a family cycling festival. Short, low-mileage popular rides will be held to promote cycling culture and sustainable mobility in a fun way and in a festive atmosphere. "In short, to enjoy a pleasant day of sport and leisure with the family", he summarised. In parallel, the Tour Eguna will continue to be held.
The week leading up to the start of the 110th edition of the Tour will be packed with major events with worldwide repercussions. "On 29 June, the Fan Park will be inaugurated in the Paseo del Arenal area in Bilbao. An open space in which, from cycling in general and the Tour de France in particular, a wide variety of activities and proposals will take place. In short, a txirrindulari theme park that will extend along the Arenal quay and promenade, with spaces, initiatives and performances to be enjoyed with the family, with friends? Admission will be free", he explained.
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