Some dreams are nurtured for years, while others come true with a simple message on social media. For Joan Vidal, a 15-year-old from El Poble Nou de Benitatxell, his passion for cycling went beyond watching the grand tours on television with his father. Every time he saw the legendary Strade Bianche in Italy, with its final stage on the impossible Santa Caterina street, his mind returned home, specifically to Pou Street.
‘Every time I watched this race, I always told my father that it would be really cool to have something similar at El Poble Nou,’ recalls Joan, with the excitement of someone who knows that he has changed the map of his town. Pou Street, a demanding and steep hill that runs through the town centre, was the perfect setting for him to watch his idols pass by.
A message that changed everything
Far from letting it remain a mere idea, Joan decided to log on Instagram and write directly to Ángel Casero, director of the Vuelta a la Comunitat Valenciana, to make a suggestion: include Pou Street in the route.
‘Surprisingly, he replied at first that they were going to look into it. And finally, it has happened,’ explains the youngster. What began as a suggestion from a 15-year-old fan has become a technical and logistical reality that will bring the elite of international cycling to the doorsteps of the people of Benitatxell.
‘The day it passes through Pou Street, I can die in peace.’
Joan’s emotions exploded when he received official confirmation from Casero. At that moment, the first person he thought of was his father. ‘I called him right away to give him the news. I always told him, “The day it passes, I can die in peace.” And it has come true.’
The Vuelta a la Comunitat Valenciana will pass through the municipality next Saturday, February 7th, between 4:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. (but traffic will be restricted from 4 p.m. onwards), through Cumbre del Sol and the streets Assegador, Pou, Mayor, la Pau and Alicante Avenue. The stage will start at 12:30 p.m. in La Nucia and continue to Marina Alta, passing through neighbouring municipalities such as Parcent, Orba, Tormos, Sagra, Pego i les Valls, Beniarbeig, Pedreguer, Alcalalí, Xaló, Calp, Benissa and Teulada Moraira, where the finish line will be located.
The section of the “Muro del Pou”, as it has been named, is not just any section. Although the Vuelta has demanding mountain passes, the uniqueness of having a high-level race pass through the middle of the town centre is what makes it historic. In addition, a Green Point will be set up on Pou Street, where the remains of the refreshments will be collected.
