The first edition of the international cycling race will take place on January 21, with two passes through Onda, the last one being the finish line of the race.
The Museu del Taulell (Tile Museum) in Onda will be the finish line of the first edition of the international cycling race Gran Premio Castellón – Ruta de la Cerámica, which will take place on 21 January and where thousands of fans are expected to arrive. This was announced by the Mayor of Onda, Carmina Ballester; together with the Councillor for Healthy City, Paco Pastor; the Provincial Deputy for Sports, Ivan Sánchez; the director of the race, José Cabedo; and the cyclist from Onda, Gonzalo Ariño.
The 18 participating teams will cover a 176.9-kilometre route through the province of Castellón and, in addition to a double stop in Onda, the cycling race will take in Borriol, la Pobla Tornesa, Cabanes, Benlloch, Sierra Engarcerán, Vall d'Alba, Vilafamés, Sant Joan de Moró, l'Alcora, Ribesalbes, Suera and Tales. After crossing a large part of Castellón's tile industry, the cyclists will arrive in Onda for the first time at kilometre 157, just 20 kilometres from the finish line.
After this first pass through Onda, the cyclists will have to climb the Collado de Ayódar (2nd category) which will be crowned with 5 kilometres to go to the finish line. All the spice and excitement will come in the dizzying descent that will lead the peloton to the Museu del Taulell in Onda for a short sprint. There the first winner of the Gran Premio Castellón – Ruta de la Cerámica will be crowned.
Ballester stressed that “today we are presenting a race that will position Onda on the international cycling scene. It is the race we were missing. The one that this city, which is passionate about cycling, deserves. A dream that we have been pursuing for a long time and that we are now going to make a reality.”
The mayor also mentioned that “millions of viewers from 200 countries around the world will be able to fall in love with our landscapes, the Serra Espadà, the Sichar reservoir, the castle of the 300 towers, this land of light and legends to enjoy with all five senses. The media impact and the promotional campaign will be priceless.”
Guided tours of the museum
In parallel, the Manolo Safont Tile Museum will organise guided tours on the same day so that fans who come to enjoy the event can discover the province's greatest ceramic heritage.
