Sawt Falasteen - Welcome to the Costa Blanca: pro cycling's winter getaway

Long known as the ideal summer destination for those in search of sun, sea and sand, the stretch of coast between Valencia and Alicante now has a winter vocation too.

During the season break in December and January, the region experiences an invasion of cyclists.

Star names such as three-time Tour de France winner Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe flock to the south-east of Spain to take advantage of the Costa's Mediterranean climate, its little-used roads and its bustling seaside hospitality sector that rolls out the red carpet for them from Calpe to Benidorm.

Sixteen of the 18 men's World Tour teams have set up their winter quarters there to prepare for the new season, with some riders staying on privately between camps to take advantage of the conditions.

Belgian double Olympic gold medallist Evenepoel has even bought an apartment in the area.

"Within a 50-kilometre radius, 80 percent of the peloton is here at the same time in December and January, and sometimes even in February. It's quite unique," Philippe Mauduit, race director of the Groupama-FDJ team, told AFP.

Add in the women's teams, outfits from lower divisions and even the juniors, and it can all build quickly into a traffic jam.

"Just yesterday we were doing tests on the Coll de Rates. It was like a motorway for cyclists, there were cyclists everywhere," said Spanish rider Alex Aranburu, a new arrival at Cofidis.

"Sometimes it's hard to do the exercises because it's so crowded," added Frenchman Valentin Paret-Peintre of Soudal Quick-Step. "There are other cool places to ride in Spain. But everyone comes here. It's fashionable."

- 'Can we see the pros?' -

Rush hour on the Coll de Rates -- where Pogacar just set the record ascent -- looks like a scene from downtown Manhattan.

As the pros go rhythmically up and down the hill as part of their training exercises, they are tracked by bands of enthusiastic amateurs keen to see their favourite riders.

"They get into the peloton, they follow as long as they can, they turn around because they come across another team. For us, it's not disruptive. On the contrary, it creates a nice atmosphere," says Mauduit.

The same point is highlighted by organisers of local cycling tours.

"I get a lot of people writing to me asking if it's possible to see the pros," said Iliana Roumenova Ilkova, a former Bulgarian professional ballerina who set up Paradisebike13 to guide enthusiasts around Calpe.

"As I know a few of the riders, they tell me where they're going, so I arrange for us to be there too. The other day we ran into Pogacar and Alaphilippe, who said hello to me."

For Ilkova, the reasons for the area's success are obvious: "The weather, the beautiful scenery and safe roads with respectful motorists who know that cycling tourism is important for the local economy."

But there is a flip-side to this vast influx of cyclists. In the village of Parcent, nestled at the foot of the Coll de Rates, "property prices have doubled", she said.

- 'Rooms with sea views' -

Hoteliers down by the coast are rubbing their hands, however.

Thanks to the arrival of cyclists, bolstering the traditional numbers of British and Dutch retirees, accommodation providers are able to stay open all year.

"We're made very welcome, with beautiful rooms with sea views, a very high standard of catering, meeting rooms, and all this at attractive rates," said Mauduit. "And that helps them (hoteliers) to maintain the employment pool," he added.

The Groupama-FDJ race director also pointed to the Costa Blanca's accessibility as another advantage.

"We're halfway between Valencia and Alicante, so that gives you a range of low-cost flights. In December, 120 people go. If you pay 60 euros ($61) for your plane ticket instead of 600 euros, it's a great help for your budget."

In Calpe, there are often several teams staying in the same hotels, which is not necessarily to the liking of all the pros.

But for Paret-Peintre this means he can go riding and have a coffee with friends.

"In competition, I'll do everything I can to beat them," insisted the 23-year-old rider. "But in training or at the hotel, they are first and foremost colleagues."

U.Shaheen--SF-PST