The Minister of Culture and Sports of the Andalusian Government, Patricia del Poo, took part in the presentation of the 71st return of the cyclist to Andalusia «Ruta del Sol» at the Center for Contemporary Creation of Andalusia Córdoba (C3a). This event marks the centenary of the first edition in 1925. After this initial test, it was stopped and later resumed.
From the source, she congratulated the choice of C3a as the venue for this presentation «because it is a space dedicated to bringing together disciplines, for specialized training and initial participation of citizens.» This aligns with the goals of the return to Andalusia, as one of its main objectives is to bring contemporary artistic languages to the citizens, similar to these century-old tests, including bringing citizens closer together.
The Minister also wanted to congratulate the organizers of the race, the sports company «Sporting Company,» with Joaquín Cuevas at the forefront of this great family. She acknowledged the dedication and effort put into organizing the event and expressed her sincere congratulations for all that has been achieved and what is yet to come.
The 71st edition of the Andalusian cycling race «Ruta del Sol» will start on February 19 in the city of Torrox, Malaga, and will finish on February 23 in La Línea de la Concepción, Cádiz. This edition will cover four Andalusian provinces (Cádiz, Córdoba, Jaén, and Malaga), totaling 820 kilometers, with 6 flat stages and 11 mountain passes.
The Andalusian tour will feature some of the best international cyclists, including Tom Pidcock, Egan Bernal, Nairo Quintana, and Enric Mas. Currently, two Andalusian cyclists are confirmed for the race: David Martín from Seville and José Manuel Díaz from Jaén, both riding for Burgos BH. The Ministry of Culture and Sports sponsors the overall classification leader, as well as the first Andalusian T-shirt.
A total of 17 professional teams will participate, with 119 riders in the lineup, including Euskaltel-Euskadi, Team Movistar, INEOS Grenadiers, and others. The race will reach over 140 million households worldwide through TV and internet broadcasts in more than 180 countries, with over eight hours of live coverage in 20 different languages.
The five stages of this edition can be watched live on TV, including on Eurosport, Direct TV, SuperSport, and RTVE through Teledorte and Andalusian Public Television Radio (RTVA) on Andalusia TV. Daily reports and specialized programs will also be prepared by the Andalusian network, reaffirming its commitment to the largest itinerant sporting event.
The first stage will take place on Wednesday, February 19, between the cities of Malaga and Nerja, covering 162.6 kilometers. Subsequent stages will traverse different provinces, showcasing the diverse landscapes of Andalusia and the talents of the participating cyclists.