The Basque Government and the organisation of La Vuelta decide that the climbs to the Arrate and Orduña mountain passes will take place without public

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The Basque Government and the organisation of La Vuelta have decided that the climbs to the Arrate and Orduña mountain passes (stages 1 and 7, on the 20th and 27th of October, respectively) will take place without public. The Basque Government believes that the current epidemiological situation makes it impossible to guarantee the adequate conditions required in order to allow the presence of the public. The orographic conditions of both mountain passes pose enormous difficulties when it comes to controlling the minimum compulsory interpersonal safety distance between spectators. This distance, however, can be guaranteed in other locations, through the application of the established protocols and maximum capacities.

In this sense, the Basque Government refers to the Order dated 19th of August 2020, from the Regional Health Minister, regarding the preventive measures required to face the health crisis caused by COVID-19. This order establishes that, in the case of road cycling, the event’s space or itinerary must be restricted, allowing a maximum of 1000 people per space or route, a minimum compulsory interpersonal safety distance of 1.5 metres between spectators and the participating riders and the compulsory use of face masks.  

ARRATE AND ORDUÑA

The climb to the Arrate mountain pass will take place at the end of the first stage of La Vuelta 20, on the 20th of October, which will depart from Irun and have its finish-line in the Arrate Sanctuary. The climb to the Orduña mountain pass will take place during the 7thstage, on the 27th of October, which will depart from Vitoria-Gasteiz and have its finish-line in Villanueva de Valdegovía.

The organisation of La Vuelta is working tirelessly to ensure a thorough coordination with all the relevant authorities of each autonomous community in order to establish specific measures for each of the 18 stages that make up the 75th edition of the race, as well as for the mountain passes included in the route of La Vuelta 20. The organisation will announce, as soon as possible, any points that will become restricted to the public for health reasons.

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