To Joan Vidal, a young man from 15 years de El Poble Nou de BenitatxellHis passion for major races went far beyond television admiration.
From a young age, every time I saw the Italian classic Strade Biancheespecially its iconic final climb up the street Santa CaterinaHe imagined something similar in his own town. That thought always led him to the same place: the Pou Street, a steep hill in the town center that, for him, had all the ingredients to become a cycling venue.
Pou Street as cycling inspiration
«Every time I saw this race I always told my dad that it would be really cool to have something similar in El Poble Nou“,” Joan recalls. Pou Street, demanding and narrow, crossing through the center of the town, represented that parallel between the Cycling international elite and the streets of their daily lives.
Far from remaining a personal reflection, Joan decided to take a further step and convey his idea to those who design the great routes of professional cycling.
A direct message to the director of the Vuelta
The young man opened Instagram and wrote directly to Angel Home, Director of the Cycling Tour of the Valencian Community, suggesting that the test include passing through Pou Street.
The answer came sooner than expected.Surprisingly, he initially replied that they would look into it. And it has finally been possible.", explains Joan.
What began as the initiative of a 15-year-old fan ended up becoming a technical and logistical reality that will allow the elite of international cycling to literally pass through the doors of the residents of Benitatxell.
"The day I walk down Pou Street, I can die in peace."
The official confirmation was the most anticipated moment. Joan didn't hesitate to share the news with the person who had always heard that dream repeated race after race: his father.
«I called him right away to give him the news. I always told him, 'The day that happens, I can die in peace.' And it's come true."," he recounts with emotion.
Date, time and route through Benitatxell
La Return to the Valencian Community will go through El Poble Nou de Benitatxell el sábado 7 de febrero, with an estimated passage time between the 16: 45 and 17: 15 hoursTraffic will be affected Restricted from 16:00 PM.
The tour within the municipality will include Cumbre del Sol and the streets Reaper, Pou, Greater, the Peace and the Alicante Avenue.
A stage that will cover the entire Marina Alta region.
The stage will start at 12:30 pm in La Nucía and will venture into the region of the Marina Alta, crossing municipalities such as Parcent, Orba, Tormos, Festival, Pego i les Valls, Beniarbeig, Pedreguer, Alcalali, Xaló, Calp, Benissa y Teulada Morairawhere the arches.
The 'Pou Wall', a historic stretch
The passage through Pou Street has been christened as the 'Wall of the Well'This is not just another stage of the route. Although the Vuelta features some very demanding mountain passes, the unique aspect of having a high-level cycling race pass through the heart of the town is what makes this a historic event for the municipality.
In addition, a Punto Verdewhere the remains of supplies will be collected, reinforcing the commitment to cleanliness and respect for the environment during the race.
