Mallorca Cycles to the Top of Europe's Cycling Destinations

With its extensive road network, Mallorca has become the leading destination in the Mediterranean. A large number of hotels open earlier than usual and are superbly equipped to look after cyclists with mechanics, workshops, bike storage, coaches, spa facilities, sports-massage therapists, dedicated transport services and special nutrition options. This week, for example, the areas around Puerto Pollensa, Alcúdia and Sa Pobla were full of activity as cycling teams and clubs from all over the world enjoyed the glorious days.

Cycling tourists allow many hotels to open earlier than usual as part of the "Winter in Mallorca" campaign launched by the Government of Mallorca. Before the pandemic, the cycling-tourism market enabled more than 150 hotels in the areas of Playa de Palma, Playa de Muro, Alcúdia-Can Picafort, Cala Millor, Cala Serena, Capdepera and Paguera to extend their activities beyond the summer months. The cycling-tourism season runs across two very specific periods: from autumn to Christmas, and from February until just after Easter. By the end of the cycling season, according to hoteliers, specialist tour operators and the Government of Mallorca, more than 200,000 cyclists will have visited Mallorca. The overall economic impact on the island during their stay is estimated at 300 million euros from October to the end of April.

Bernardo Dahlhaus, director of the PortBlue Club Pollentia Resort & Spa between Puerto Pollensa and Alcúdia, said the hotels are already seeing signs that this season will be a good one. Occupancy is higher than expected, and 70 per cent are cycling teams. The vast majority come from Britain and northern Europe, but there are also teams from Brazil. Mallorca offers cyclists a wealth of options, from short to long routes and the Tramuntana, which offers some of the most demanding cycling routes in Europe in a spectacular setting. Many hotels specialising in cycling are benefiting from this trend.

The Government of Mallorca has signed an agreement with Eurosport to promote the island as an active-tourism destination. What's more, Mallorca is not only a mecca for amateur cyclists but also for many of the best teams in the world. Over the past 20 years, Alcúdia and Pollença have been the base for Team GB and the former Team Sky, now Ineos Grenadiers. Lance Armstrong even organises tours on Mallorca for which cyclists pay 20,000 euros to ride with him. This is just another example of the development of cycling tourism on Mallorca. Cycling tourism is important for the local economy and for job creation. Numerous businesses depend on the arrival of European cycling tourists to stay active and open almost all year round.

Alongside road cycling, the Palma Arena velodrome is also a focal point when pro teams are on the island. Some team members need indoor track training, and the velodrome offers exactly that. The excellent road infrastructure, more and more of which is being adapted for cyclists, and the chance to train at the velodrome make Mallorca a paradise for cyclists. Airlines also offer special services for travellers with their bikes. Thanks to its proximity to many of Europe's cycling nations, Mallorca has become one of the best cycling destinations in Europe, if not the world. As far back as 2015, Sir Bradley Wiggins was promoting sports tourism in the Balearics. For him, the Tour of Mallorca (Challenge Ciclista a Mallorca) was "fantastic" – it is one of the first big races of the season, particularly on the European tour. Wiggins was joined by Sean Kelly, one of the greats of road cycling in the 1980s, who, although he retired in 1994, still comes to Mallorca at least three times a year, just like tens of thousands of cyclists from around the world.