Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Michael Cruz of Rimontgó

Summer arrives and the thoughts of all keen Spanish cyclists naturally turn to the excitement of the Vuelta de España. This year this iconic race will be held from Saturday August 20^th to Sunday September 11^th, will comprise 21 stages and cover a total distance of 3,000 kilometres.

Already the race is causing a great deal of excitement in Orihuela where the Vuelta will once again end one of its stages. The Mayor, Monica Lorente, confirmed that the race would yet again enable cycling enthusiasts from around the world to witness the beauty of Orihuela, but had news about this year’s route taking a slightly different direction.

The official presentation of the 2011 Vuelta took place recently at the new auditorium in the centre of Alicante and was attended by Mayor Lorente, President of the Alicante Council, Joaquin Ripoll and Gema Amor, Director General of the Costa Blanca Tourist Board. A full programme of activities to welcome the Vuelta to the Orihuela area was announced, including beach, sporting and gastronomic events, and Mayor Lorente emphasised the importance of the Vuelta to the Costa Blanca: “The whole of Orihuela will enjoy this event and businesses especially will benefit commercially from this great celebration of sport. As it takes place during the high season, the area will be inundated with tourists from all over Spain, Europe and the rest of the world; it will be a great way to showcase Orihuela Costa.”

The people of Orihuela have become accustomed to enjoying the spectacle of the Vuelta as it passes through their town, but this year the route will take the competitors – and the world’s TV cameras – in a different direction. The Mayor revealed that, “In 2010 the race passed through the heart of the city and traversed its surrounding districts, but this year it will end right in the coastal area of the municipality, which contains wonderful, award-winning Blue Flag beaches with great facilities. Orihuela Costa is also the capital of some stunning golf courses, including Campoamor, Las Ramblas and Las Colinas. We’re very proud that this part of the Costa Blanca has been selected as the location of the second stage finale.”

There is no doubt that the prestigious road race will introduce a new wave of potential visitors to this picturesque part of the Coast.