The presence of the Tour de France is already being felt on the roads of Ripollès with preparations such as banners and safety measures. A meeting with thirty volunteers, many from Civil Protection, was held to organize their contribution during the event.
Volunteers, who will wear yellow, have been warned about the hot conditions and the duration of their service, which will exceed seven hours. They have been advised to bring water and a chair, and instructed not to confront anyone, to use a provided phone for incidents, and to prevent public access to the road.
The C17 and N260 roads will be closed between Baix Ripollès and Vall de Ribes for five hours. In addition to the cyclists, the advertising caravan and potential cadet micro-races will occupy the space, causing significant disruptions to the daily lives of affected towns, with a greater economic impact than other sporting events.
Major companies in Ripollès have also seen their routines affected. At Comforsa, workers in Ripoll chose to take the day off, while those in Campdevànol will work and travel via alternative routes or by train. The committee chairman, Xavier Rodríguez, considers the region's blockade 'lamentable,' as it has also necessitated rescheduling medical appointments at the Campdevànol Regional Hospital.
The mayor of Campdevànol, Oriol Lázaro, has participated in meetings to anticipate inconveniences. It has been agreed that the hospital will operate as on a holiday, attending only emergencies. Lázaro positively assesses the short-term return for fans and the improvement of road sections, as well as the participation of volunteers, which demonstrates the region's organizational capacity.
The impact on the hospitality sector is not very promising. The Hotel la Trobada in Ripoll has not received reservations from cycling teams, journalists, or police, as the stage start and finish are far away. Owner Jaume Farrés sees more disadvantages in mobility for guests with existing reservations.
Transport companies like Nacex have also seen their routines altered. The manager, Carles Torres, reports that they will not be able to operate normally for seven hours and that important deliveries will be made before ten in the morning. Driving schools, such as Autoescola Taboada run by Jaume Taboada, have designated the day as a holiday for practical lessons.
