Twelve million euros were spent to host the Tour, in Bilbao, Spain. An expense seen as an investment in a territory that is passionate about cycling.
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It’s a homecoming for the Tour de France. 31 years after leaving San Sebastian, the Spanish Basque Country is once again preparing to host the Grande Boucle from Saturday July 1, for a major popular celebration in the heart of one of the cradles of cycling.
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A few days before, everywhere in Bilbao, the event is displayed everywhere: giant bicycles in the squares, decorated shop windows… Because the moment is important, underlines the mayor Juan María Aburto: “We are really very proud to host the third sporting event in the world. When the whole industry collapsed in the 1980s, we were able to adapt, create a new model with the Guggenheim museum in particular. Today , With le Tour, we are going to show the whole world that we have become a dynamic, modern, attractive city!”
12 million euros to host the Tour
Cycling is also part of the DNA of the Spanish Basque Country. And the bicycle has contributed to this revival with old steel factories converted into cycle factories, such as Orbea.
For this start village, some twelve million euros have been spent in order to receive the Tour with all the honours. And it was worth it / “All this is not an expense, it must be seen as an investment for the territory, pleads the former deputy general of Biscay, Unia Rementeria Maiz. The people of the Basque Country deserve to host such an event, they are passionate of cycling. In Biscay wherever you go you will find cyclists, both old and new generations.”
A passion for cycling that will be on display all weekend along the roads and on all televisions around the world.