The Mayor of Madrid's joke at the presentation of the last stage of the Vuelta a Espana "I'm more Ayuso than Almeida"
CyclingWednesday, 28 June 2023 at 16:30
The city of Madrid is preparing to welcome La Vuelta 23, one of the most exciting cycling competitions on the calendar, and it does so with a novelty that excites fans and residents of the capital. The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, together with Javier Guillén, director of La Vuelta, have announced that this year's final stage will debut a new format, offering Madrid residents the opportunity to witness the event live, no matter where they live.
In a presentation led by the journalist Roberto Gómez and with the presence of prominent personalities such as Borja Carabante, delegate for Urban Planning, Environment and Mobility, Marta Rivera de la Cruz, delegate for Culture, Tourism and Sports, Almudena Maíllo, councilor for Tourism, and Sonia Cea, Councilor for Sports, Mayor Almeida stressed that the final stage will not only take place in Madrid, but will cross the city on a route that will cover some 35 neighborhoods in nine districts.
Of the 110 kilometers of total route, approximately 90 will be developed exclusively in Madrid, thus allowing the residents of Moncloa-Aravaca, Latina, Carabanchel, Puente de Vallecas, Villa de Vallecas, Moratalaz, San Blas-Canillejas, Salamanca and Centro to enjoy of the live event. The 21st stage of La Vuelta will end in the Paisaje de la Luz environment, adding a special touch to this exciting competition.
Almeida has highlighted the importance of fostering and promoting sport as a "school of life and healthy habits". The fact that the tour ends in Madrid not only reinforces this vocation, but also has a positive impact on the image of the city worldwide. The television images will reach more than 190 countries, showing the splendid beauty of Madrid and the diversity of its different neighbourhoods.
During the presentation, the mayor also added a touch of humor when asked about the coincidence of the surnames of two cyclists, Juan Ayuso and Joao Almeida, referring to his own surname. "I am more for Ayuso than for Almeida," he replied in a joking tone, referring to his last name and that of the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso.
Excitement is in the air as Madrid prepares to welcome La Vuelta 23 and offer the people of Madrid the opportunity to experience elite cycling up close. The new format of the final stage, which will go through the city's neighbourhoods, promises to be a unique and memorable experience for all sports lovers and Madrid residents.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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- Change the record.Cyclingsbestfan14-09-2026
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