The Tour will finally dodge Collserola due to the swine flu
The Generalitat had asked this measure to the organization to avoid crowds on the mountain
BarcelonaThe Tour de France will avoid Collserola Park. The organization has finally accepted the request from the Generalitat, which had requested to change the route of the second stage —scheduled for July 5 and starting in Tarragona and ending in Barcelona-, due to the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF). The objective was to ensure that there could be public in the entire section of the race, and to prevent some spectators from trying to access the park to see the cyclists despite the restrictions.
According to a press release from the Barcelona City Council, the cycling race will finally avoid Collserola. When they reach kilometer 123 of the stage, the cyclists will leave Molins de Rei and continue along the N-340 until they reach Plaça Espanya. This faster entry into the Catalan capital will involve shortening the stage by 16 kilometers, from the 182.4 initially planned to 168.4. With this change, the priority has been to modify the planned route "as little as possible". The route change will also mean that the race will pass through L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and Esplugues de Llobregat
In total, this year's Tour de France will have three stages that will take place in Catalonia, with a start for the first time in history in Barcelona. The first stage will take place on July 4, with a 19-kilometer team time trial that will go from Parc del Fòrum to the Olympic Stadium of Montjuïc —where two consecutive climbs will be made—, passing through the maritime facade and the Sagrada Família, among others. The second stage will be between Tarragona and Barcelona and will end at Montjuïc Castle, and the third will start from Granollers to reach the French town of Les Angles.
Pass restrictions
Since the start of the outbreak, which affects only wild boars, the Government has implemented different containment measures, based mainly on reducing the wild boar population throughout the country, especially in the affected area, and with restrictions on access to natural environments. Last week, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, Òscar Ordeig, also announced that the start of the wild boar hunting season in Catalonia will be brought forward to June and will last until March, instead of from September to March as before. The objective is to strengthen the control of the populations of this species throughout the territory, minimize damage to crops, reduce traffic accidents, and reinforce prevention to avoid the spread of the virus.