The town of Falset is ready to host the start of the fifth stage of La Vuelta, a cycling competition of international renown. Over 180 cyclists, including prominent figures such as Tadej Pogačar, Primož Roglič, and Wout van Aert, will compete in this stage.
The mayor of Falset, Carlos Brull, has highlighted the event's significance as an opportunity to showcase the landscape diversity and tourism potential of the municipality and the Priorat region. Brull is confident that the media exposure of the race, followed in over 178 countries, will encourage future visits to discover the local landscapes, vineyards, wines, cultural heritage, and gastronomy.
Similarly, the technical director of La Vuelta, Kiko García, has emphasized the territory's storytelling potential, focusing on the wine tradition and the history of Priorat as attractions for the race's global audience.
The passage of La Vuelta will cause significant traffic disruptions in Falset. Starting from Tuesday evening, traffic restrictions have been implemented to facilitate team bus parking. The majority of road closures will occur from 12 PM on Wednesday, affecting most streets, including the stretch from the Creu Roja roundabout to the intersection with Miquel Barceló street, where the signature control will be set up.
However, the passage of La Vuelta has also met with opposition from some entities linked to the pro-independence left, such as the Casal Carrasclet and Priorat Antifeixista, as well as the Plataforma en Defensa del Riu Siurana, Centre Quim Soler, and Òmnium Priorat. These groups consider the event an "instrument of state propaganda" and have called for public demonstrations in defense of the territory.
