Vuelta victory for Benidorm

The eyes of the world will be on Benidorm later this year as it hosts the decisive penultimate stage of the hugely popular Vuelta España cycling race. Both the resort itself and the inland mountain range have been announced as a key site as the famous race draws to a close, with only Madrid coming afterwards. 

Benidorm’s mayor Toni Perez and Sports councillor Ana Pellicer recently attended the official presentation of the 71st edition in Orense (Galicia) where the cyclists will set out on August 20. The Benidorm stage will begin on September 10. 

After crossing Spain and reaching Benidorm, the peloton will race inland with a l,510-metre ascent to the military base at the top of the Aitana mountain range.  This is the moment when teams will launch their last-minute strategies to decide who wears the prized red jersey when the Vuelta enters Madrid on the last day.

Five of the Vuelta’s 21 stages will take place in the Valencian community and as well as the Aitana challenge, there will also be a Javea-Calpe time trial.

“This is one of Spain’s greatest sporting events with an international projection and not only for fans of this admirable sport,” Toni Perez said.

“Benidorm will provide a magnificent spectacle that features our town, beaches, avenues and streets, as well as our ambience and climate.”