Bilbao will host this Thursday the official presentation of the teams that will compete in the Tour de France, an event that will pay tribute to Basque cycling. “Numerous Basque txirrindularis will precede the 176 participating cyclists and even 22 will act as team guides”, according to reports from the Basque institutions that collaborate in the organization.
The official presentation of the Tour de France teams is, as they have highlighted, one of the “great milestones” of the Grand Départ Pays Basque 2023, the departure of the French cycling race from the Basque Country with three “spectacular” stages on the next days 1, 2 and July 3.
The event, broadcast live by EITB to nearly 200 countries, will also serve as a “tribute to Basque cycling, its fans and cyclists”.
In this way, they have explained, “before the Pogacar, Vingegaard, Landa, Bilbao, Izagirre and company start filming among the fans, numerous Basque txirrindularis will receive applause and recognition” from the fans who attend the team presentation ceremony .
In addition, some of the most significant will lead the bike parade of each participating team between the Euskalduna Palace, the starting point of the circuit, and the esplanade of the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, where the stage will be located.
So, Joane Somarriba, Agurtzane Elorriaga, Miguel Mari Lasa, David Etxebarria, Abraham Olano, Marino Lejarreta, Iban Mayo, Roberto Laiseka, Julian Gorospe, Juan Manuel Garate, Fede Etxabe, Javier Murgialdai, Jose Nazabal, Igor Gonzalez Galdeano, Haimar Zubeldia, Amets Txurruka, Igor Anton, Iker Camaño, Unai Osa, Beñat Intxausti, Jon Unzaga and Iñaki Gaston will be there as “route captains” of the participating teams.
The official presentation, aimed at all audiences, will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., although, from 5:00 p.m., different activities will be carried out, which will begin with a ‘kalejira’. After the end of the official presentation, it will continue with “the preTour atmosphere” until 10:00 p.m. by DJ Oihan Vega. Among others, performances by Hortzmuga, Demode Quartet, ETS
Citizens will be able to participate in a free event throughout the circuit made by cyclists from the Euskalduna Palace to the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum. In this way, attendees will be able to follow the route of the cyclists both during the round trip circuit, as well as on the Museum esplanade.
Access to this space will also be free, but the entry of the public will be controlled, which will be able to access from 4:00 p.m., so as not to exceed the capacity allowed for “the correct and safe development” of the act.
During the tour, three giant screens will also be installed so that fans can enjoy the live presentation of the teams.
The necessary infrastructure for this event will mean changes in mobility in the area. In this way, the traffic cuts on Abandoibarra Avenue, from the Sacred Heart to the Uribitarte roundabout, will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Likewise, citizens who wish to get closer to the event are recommended to use public transport.
