The countdown is on! Just two days before the Grand Départ of the 2026 Tour de France, the Tour de France Club gathered its members in Barcelona for a special Social Ride organized in partnership with Santini. On the menu: a 52 km route, more than 1,000 metres of climbing, and the perfect playground to kick off the Tour festivities.
Thirty Club members took part in the ride, representing no fewer than nine nationalities: Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and Brazil. Once again, the event highlighted the international appeal of the Tour de France Club.
The route headed into the hills overlooking Barcelona, with the iconic Tibidabo serving as the day's main challenge. The demanding climb rewarded riders with breathtaking panoramic views over the Catalan capital before the group rolled back into the city in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Leading the peloton was a very special ambassador: Joaquim Rodríguez. The 2013 Tour de France third-place finisher fully embraced his role, matching the attacks of the strongest riders while also encouraging and helping those struggling during the final metres of the day's two climbs.
As always, the ride concluded with a convivial gathering and a prize draw. For this Grand Départ edition, Monica Santini, CEO of Santini Cycling Wear, acted as the lucky hand to draw the winners.
The prizes matched the scale of the occasion: the four official Santini Tour de France leader's jerseys, a Santini Grand Départ Barcelona kit, a pair of Oakley Kato Tour de France 2026 sunglasses, and, most notably, a Golden Ticket granting two people exclusive access to a race vehicle during the Team Time Trial.
A memorable day that perfectly set the tone for the Grand Départ celebrations in Barcelona and once again demonstrated that Tour de France Club Social Rides offer much more than just a bike ride—they deliver a unique experience at the heart of the world's greatest cycling race.
