The Volta a Catalunya 2024 will live a stage starting in Berga and finishing in Santuari de Queralt

September 22 ^nd 2023 - 11:30 [GMT + 2]

The 103rd edition of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya will have as one of its great novelties the return to the town of Berga, after more than 60 years of its last presence in the Volta (1959). It will be a special stage in the Catalan race, which will show all the sporting and landscape potential of Berguedà and will finish in the Santuari de Queralt. The mayor of Berga, Ivan Sànchez, and the president of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, A.E., Rubèn Peris, announced the agreement this morning at the town hall.

Catalan and international cycling fans will be able to enjoy a spectacular stage along the roads and mountain passes of Berguedà. Starting in Berga, the stage aims to show the characteristics and potential of an ideal territory for cycling, and will finish in the Santuari de Queralt, where riders will be able to establish important differences after a day of mountains, in a stage profile that is still being developed.

In any case, the Volta returns to Berga after six decades, and this will be the eleventh time it has held a stage start or finish, the last one in 1959, and the first one in 1947. The Santuari de Queralt had played an important role in the past in other historic races such as the Setmana Catalana, but this is the first time as a final stage in the Volta a Catalunya.

The Mayor of Berga, Iván Sànchez, commented "the fact that the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya is returning to Berga is good news for the city and the region. It is a high-level sporting event that will not only be a point of attraction for cycling fans, a growing discipline that has been gaining followers in Berguedà in recent years, but will also help to dynamize the territory in many areas. Let's hope that the Volta is back to stay".

"I think that returning to Berga and Berguedà was a clamour after so many years. Not only because cycling fans wanted it, but also because on a sporting level it can be a totally decisive stage and a great attraction. I am sure we will have a great party and I thank all the parties involved for the effort made to make it possible", said the president of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Associació Esportiva, Rubèn Peris.

On his part, Ramon Caballé, councillor for sport and president of the Consell Comarcal del Berguedà, said that "our role as a regional administration is to be at the side of the local councils, joining forces together. We are happy to do our bit. The return of the Volta "allows Berguedà to continue being a cycling reference in Catalonia. I am sure that on the day of the race, Berga and the region will be a great cycling festival".

Berga, capital of Berguedà, has around 16,700 inhabitants. It is located in the centre of the region and is the point of economic, social and communications convergence. Due to its location, Berga is the centre for excursions in the surrounding area, and the city lies at the foot of the Serra de Queralt Mountain and faces the Llobregat valley.        

The Santuari de Queralt is located at the top of the Queralt mountain range, at an altitude of 1,200 metres, and is known as the "balcony of Catalonia". The present church is a building constructed in the 18th century, and is a place of great beauty both on foot and, of course, by bicycle. The Volta Ciclista a Catalunya is part of the UCI WorldTour calendar, which groups together the best races in the world, and with 102 editions, it is the third oldest stage race after the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia.

Year after year, the best riders in the world take part, and the current winner is the Slovenian Primoz Roglic, who won the last edition in a vibrant duel with the Belgian Remco Evenepoel. In the last edition, television images of the Volta a Catalunya reached 190 countries and the five continents through 33 broadcasters, including Eurosport, ClaroSport, Sky Sport and GCN. In the state territory, it can be seen live on Esport3, TDP and Eurosport.

The 103rd edition of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya will take place from 18 to 24 March 2024, and Berga and Berguedà will once again play a leading role.