The Basque Government, in cooperation with local authorities, has organised various activities before the Tour de France leaves the Basque Country on 1 July. It aims to offer citizens the possibility of "immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the Tour".
On 1, 2 and 3 July cyclists will hit the roads of Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, and the presentation of the tournament will take place on Thursday 29 June in Bilbao. The presentation of the groups will take place between the Euskalduna Palace and the Guggenheim, while in the Arenal will be offered "Immersion experience in the Tour environment" in "Fan Park" on 29, 30 and 1 July.
There will be sponsors stands with animations, gifts, giant zip code, bicycle exhibition and tracks to learn to walk on two wheels. In addition, there will be an exhibition of herri kirolak and Basque dances, and the possibility of visitors enjoying various food trucks has also been announced.
"Facilities" for tourist attraction
The Basque Government states that the Tour de France will be a "world showcase", especially for television broadcasts, and to take advantage of it it envisages a series of actions in "symbolic" places and points, "to value the different tourist resources". They will be developed at the Bizkaia Bridge, the Flysh of Bizkaia, Urdaibai and the Santa Catalina Lighthouse of Lekeitio, among others.
Donostia: diplomacy and city dressing
City dressings are decorations that citizens can find on the street. However, the attraction of San Sebastian will be more "show the material heritage": among others, the San Telmo Museum "The Bicycle. 150 years", which will show the bikes made in Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa.
On the other hand, a summer course will be offered in Miramar, through the UPV, to socialise ‘sport diplomacy’.
Vitoria-Gasteiz: sustainable mobility and Green Capital label
The Bicycle Summit Euskadi 2023, to be held on June 30, will be the starting point. The aim will be to deepen sustainable mobility, healthy living and tourism, focusing on cycling.
On 1 July the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca will become a smart bike plaza. A virtual connection between Vitoria-Gasteiz and Donostia will take place 209 kilometres by bike with a giant screen.