The Grand Départ in Barcelona is a first - but it builds on an existing connection between the Iberian peninsula and the traditional French race. The start in the Catalan metropolis promises not only tourism-boosting images against the backdrop of the Sagrada Familia, but also sporting challenges.
Grand Départ in Spain
The Grand Départ 2026 is a new landmark in Barcelona's long sporting history. The city has already hosted the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 1992 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2024 America's Cup. With the start of the Tour, Barcelona completes its collection of major sporting events. The logistical challenges of the start in Spain are considerable. The press centre will be set up in the Palau Sant Jordi, while the traditional team presentation will take place in front of the world-famous Sagrada Familia. Traditionally, the Grand Départ is staged in a media-effective manner: the TV images are direct advertising for tourism. The first stage is a circular route through Barcelona and ends on the Montjuïc hill, which, despite its moderate height of only 185 metres, could provide the first time differences in the second stage.
First metres of altitude in Tarragona
The route from Tarragona back to Barcelona promises hectic racing moments on the second day of the race. The route takes the 176 riders in the peloton along the Catalan Mediterranean coast before the final climb to Montjuïc could provoke the first serious attacks. This early mountain classification represents an innovation in the Tour concept, as traditionally the first stages have been reserved for the sprinters. The organisers hope that this will increase the tension right from the start.
Spain and the Tour tradition
The connection between Spain and the Tour de France goes back a long way. The history of the Tour is also reminiscent of peculiarities that sound crazy today: a split stage. First, in 1957, there was a 197-kilometre stage 15a from Perpignan to Barcelona in the morning. Then, as a bonus, there was stage 15b on the same day - a time trial over 9.8 kilometres. René Privat won the 15th stage from Perpignan to the Catalan capital and Jacques Anquetil triumphed in the subsequent individual time trial. And a few years later, the Tour de France visited Barcelona again: in 1965, the Spaniard José Pérez Francés won the stage from Aix-les-Thermes to Barcelona. The last visit to Barcelona dates back to 2009, when Thor Hushovd won the 6th stage from Girona to Barcelona. The Spanish Grand Départ could provide additional motivation for young Spanish talent in particular. And some professional cyclists don't have far to travel to the start. Catalonia is popular with professional cyclists as a second home because it offers good training conditions all year round. A number of well-known professional cyclists live around Girona - in 2001, Lance Armstrong chose Girona as his training base, starting a trend that continues to this day.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
