50,000 Welcome Tour de France Peloton in Barcelona

An estimated 50,000 spectators lined the streets of Barcelona on Thursday to welcome the Tour de France peloton ahead of the race's official start this Saturday. Fans gathered along the route, stretching from the Recinto Modernista de Sant Pau to the Sagrada Familia, for the 'Grand Départ' of the renowned cycling event, which will feature its first three stages on Catalan roads.

The presentation ceremony transformed the Avenida Gaudí, the avenue connecting two of Barcelona's iconic modernist landmarks, into a vibrant fusion of cycling history, music, dance, circus performances, and local culture. Cyclists from the 23 participating teams made their initial contact with the Barcelona public, who filled the central city thoroughfare to celebrate the occasion.

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It is very beautiful. It is a piece of art. I am very happy to be here in front of these people. We have had a very beautiful presentation.

Under the slogan 'Barcelona and the Tour, a good tandem,' the 90-minute presentation was hosted by journalists Carlos de Andrés, Elisenda Pineda, and Jordi Basté. Among the most cheered riders were Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, a four-time winner of the Tour, and Danish two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard. Pogacar expressed his admiration for the Sagrada Familia, calling it "a piece of art" and stating his happiness to be there.

Other prominent cyclists, including Ecuador's Richard Carapaz, Mexico's Isaac del Toro, Belgians Mathieu Van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel, Colombia's Egan Bernal, and Spain's Juan Ayuso, also received ovations. Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni, highlighted the event as a "great moment" for the city and Catalonia, demonstrating Barcelona's capability. The city council implemented traffic closures for the event, which took place under high temperatures nearing 30 degrees Celsius.

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It is a great moment that we were waiting for Barcelona and Catalonia. We are demonstrating again that when Barcelona wants to, Barcelona can.