JUANJO PLANELLS LETTER - Sports & Events Manager
Twenty years ago, the exciting idea occurred to my beloved brother Bartolo to put Ibiza on the map of global sporting competitions.
He was convinced and absolutely certain that big sporting events could be held on the island in which hundreds of athletes would compete.
Based on this conviction and his love of his favourite sport – cycling – in the year 2000 he decided to take on a challenge. This was to launch a Mountain Bike race on the island in stages. Just 67 people took part, most of which were friends of his, who travelled to Ibiza to tour it in the best possible way – on two wheels.
It was a very friendly and informal experience. Bartolo and his friends from the San Antonio Cycling Club, put their heart and soul into making sure that all participants were as satisfied as possible, which they achieved of course.
One of the major goals of the event was to treat each and every one of the competitors as heroes and to make them enjoy a unique and unbeatable experience.
In 2014, with the death of Bartolo, a turning point arrived in the competition. This was when I personally, together with the team that accompanies me, were determined to continue with the legacy Bartolo left us, so it would thrive more strongly than ever. To keep my brother’s memory alive, filled with enthusiasm, we unanimously decided to relaunch the race with more energy than ever as a mark of my most heartfelt gratitude and of which, I am sure, Bartolo would be proud.
Many anecdotes, events, experiences and great moments have accompanied us over the years. More than eleven thousand racers have taken part in La Vuelta over its lifetime, as well as more than 24 thousand companions from as many as 81 different nationalities. This has brought us immeasurable satisfaction at being able to make practicing this sport a possibility for so many people, as well as offering them the chance to visit the island of Ibiza.
Bartolo’s dream has been more than fulfilled twenty years after he had his original idea. His cherished project, La Vuelta, has become an international benchmark in Mountain Bike racing.
For this reason, I wish to thank everyone who has taken part in the competition on previous occasions for your trust. I thank you for having dedicated a part of your lives to riding in the BBT paradise of Ibiza.
On the 13th, we will begin the race pre-registration, following the usual process of recent years. We would love to respond to the avalanche of applications, but in order to provide the best possible service and due to the environmental restrictions, we need to limit participant numbers to that of previous years.
2020 will be a special year, as well as the 20th anniversary of the race.
It will be a year filled with emotion, on which we have been working for a long time to make it a very special occasion.
We hope to see you all there.
Thank you, friends.
Juan José Planells Saez
Sports & Events Manager
