Ángel Moldes: “Poio has demonstrated that it has the capacity, enthusiasm, talent and commitment to host top-level events. This stage of La Vuelta was much more than a sporting event: it was a collective triumph and an opportunity for the future.”

Stage 16 of La Vuelta is still very present in Poio, which has become an extraordinary experience for the municipality, showing it as an authentic sports, tourism and organizational reference. A historic event, which had an unprecedented economic and social impact, and which was experienced with a spectacular atmosphere in the streets.

Poio hosted this stage of the international cycling event with great organizational and participation success. The mayor, Ángel Moldes, especially appreciates the “exemplary behavior” of the residents and visitors: “It was incredible. We managed to make history, show the world the best of Poio and live a unique experience that united the entire neighborhood.”

In addition, he also highlighted the participation of local residents and groups: Civil Protection, sports clubs, educational centers—which went out to the PO-308 to encourage the pack—and hundreds of residents who came to Combarro during the assembly, the day of rest, and the day of the stage itself: “The atmosphere in the streets of Poio has been constant since Monday, when many people came to the Praza da Chousa to check the assembly and organization of one of the most important events in world cycling. And on Tuesday, the day of the start, the atmosphere was spectacular. Residents and visitors, young and old, cycling fans, schools… Everyone wanted to witness this historic day for Poio.”

The mayor emphasizes that “the celebration of this stage makes it clear that Poio is prepared to host major events and continue betting on sports, tourism and the projection of our potential. Poio has demonstrated that it has the capacity, enthusiasm, talent and commitment to host top-level events. This stage of La Vuelta was much more than a sporting event: it was a collective triumph and an opportunity for the future.”

POIO’S APPEARANCE IN MEDIA AND SOCIAL NETWORKS AROUND THE WORLD: A PROMOTION WITH A VALUE OF OVER €4M

Being the starting point of La Vuelta was not only an opportunity at a sporting level, but also at an economic, social and tourist level. Poio was the protagonist of a test that is broadcast in 190 countries around the world, with an average of one million viewers per stage and with millions of viewers on social networks.

Images of Poio were broadcast all over the world. The council was present not only on television, in the press, and on the radio, but also in digital media and social networks. An unprecedented international promotion of the council with a value that the Poio Council itself could not assume. According to a specialized consultant, the promotional value of this global visibility for Poio would exceed 4 million euros. During the broadcast of stage 16, images of emblematic places in Poio such as Combarro, the Senda do Laño, the Bosque de Colón, the Island of Tambo, San Xoán… among others, were broadcast. The coverage served to show the world the landscape, cultural, and heritage wealth of the municipality.

DIRECT IMPACT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY: ALLOWS TO REVITALIZE THE HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND COMMERCE SECTORS

But in addition to all of the above, La Vuelta also had a direct impact on the local economy. Although the starting point of La Vuelta was the Praza da Chousa, the event involved the entire municipality: The race helicopter took off from A Seca; other points of Combarro were protagonists of the start, such as the Praza da Chousa, the Paseo das Redeiras, Rúa Maceiras, and the two ports; and the caravan and the pack moved along the PO-308.

The test caravan alone mobilizes more than 3,000 people, including cyclists, technical teams, media and accredited personnel. As the previous Monday coincided with the day of rest of the test, organization personnel, as well as some teams and journalists, began to arrive in Poio from Sunday, which meant a significant hotel occupancy throughout the municipality. This early arrival also allowed to boost the hotel and local commerce sectors for several days.