- The official franchise of the Spanish tour. Its arrival to the country marks an important milestone for Chilean cycling. Santa Cruz and Lolol will host this very first edition - an experience combining sports, culture and the spirit of one of the most emblematic competitions in the international calendar.
For the first time, Chile will be part of the La Vuelta universe. Through the Desafío Chile by La Vuelta, national and international cyclists will be able to enjoy an official experience inspired by a race with a history spanning over 90 years that brings together the best teams and the best riders in the world every season.
The franchise’s arrival represents much more than just the incorporation of a new race to the country’s sporting calendar. It is an important step in Chile’s consolidation as a host country for top-level international events and as an emerging sports tourism and cyclotourism destination.
This growth, however, comes with new challenges. The promotion of a solid cycling culture involves improving road safety education, fostering the co-existence between cyclists and drivers, safety, sports education and the development of a more responsible and more sustainable approach to the sport.
‘At WCG, we’re thrilled to continue to develop international cycling events in Chile. We are the country’s leading sports franchise producer and operator. In cycling, this translates into a standard of organisation that gives leading global brands within the sector the confidence to work with us. Chile has enormous potential: more and more people are discovering just how enthralling this sport is, and we have truly unique locations to continue bringing these experiences closer to the community, thus inspiring younger generations to ride their bikes,’ declared Adriana Escobar, the Communications Director of World Centric Group.
The first edition of the Desafío Chile by La Vuelta will take place within the Region of O’Higgins, in one of Chile’s most recognisable areas due to its winemaking tradition, its heritage and its tourist attractions.
Santa Cruz was chosen for its exceptional cycling conditions: scenic routes, a privileged natural setting, well-established tourist infrastructures and its location in the heart of the Colchagua Valley - one of South America’s most important hubs of wine tourism.
The competition will offer three distance options, allowing both amateur cyclists and more experienced riders to experience riding under the La Vuelta banner.
More than just a race, the event seeks to create a holistic experience, bringing together sports, nature, gastronomy, heritage and local culture, inviting participants and their guests to discover the region beyond the competition.
‘It’s an honour for Santa Cruz to host an international event such as this one. Our city is renowned for its winemaking tradition, our heritage and our tourist attractions, and our recent incorporation of sports as a new development axis. Such initiatives strengthen the local economy, broaden our tourist appeal and showcase the area to national and international tourists, alike.’ Yamil Etiht, Mayor of the municipality of Santa Cruz.
‘We’re so proud that La Vuelta is coming to Chile through the Desafío Chile, bringing far more than just a competition: culture, history and a very unique way of understanding cycling. The internationalisation of our amateur event serves this precise purpose: to bring the essence, the magic and the DNA of La Vuelta to new territories,’ commented Javier Guillén, Director of La Vuelta.
A launch that brings two cultures together
The official launch of the Desafío Chile by La Vuelta will take place at the Estadio Español in Santiago, a venue closely-linked to Chile’s Spanish community, chosen for its symbolic value as a meeting point between the two cultures.The choice of location aims to reflect the spirit that has historically accompanied La Vuelta: cycling’s ability to connect territories, communities, traditions and generations.Since its creation in 1935, La Vuelta has not only become one of the most important competitions in international cycling, but also a showcase for the identity, landscapes and heritage of the many regions it crosses. That same concept will be applied to the Desafío Chile by La Vuelta, using sports to promote territories and their culture.
Chile enters a new era of international cycling
The arrival of Desafío Chile by La Vuelta marks the start of a new era for Chilean cycling. More than a competition, it represents Chile’s incorporation to the international ecosystem of one of the three Grand Tours and reinforces the country’s capacity to host top-level sporting events.It also consolidates sport as a tool for tourism, cultural and social development, opening up new opportunities to showcase Chile and its regions to an international community that is increasingly interested in sporting experiences that are linked to the territory.
