The second stage of the Tour de France, scheduled for 5 July with a start in Tarragona and finish in Barcelona, will feature a changed route at the request of the Generalitat. This alteration aims to avoid Collserola Park, a restricted area due to an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), ensuring public presence along the entire section.

Barcelona City Council announced in a press release that at kilometre 123, cyclists will leave Molins de Rei and continue along the N-340 to Plaça d'Espanya. This means the race will not pass through Collserola as originally planned, reducing the route by 16 kilometres, from 182.4 km to 168.4 km.

The city council proposed this change, at the government's request and in agreement with Tour organisers. The goal was to modify the planned route as little as possible. The change will mean a 'fast' entry into the city after leaving the Baix Llobregat municipalities, according to the press release.

This new route allows spectators along the entire stage, promoting a 'civic celebration' around cycling. The previous route through Collserola Park would have had no spectators due to restrictions.

With the revised route, the race extends and changes its path through Molins, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, and Sant Just Desvern. It will also now pass through L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and Esplugues de Llobregat.

Three Stages in Catalonia

In total, the Tour will have three stages in Catalonia, starting for the first time in history in Barcelona. The first stage, on 4 July, will be a 19-kilometre team time trial in Barcelona.

The race will start at Parc del Fòrum, passing landmarks like the seafront and the Sagrada Família, before a final section with two consecutive climbs to the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc. The team classification will be decided by the time of the first rider from each team, but individual times will be recorded for the general classification.

The competition continues the next day with a stage between Tarragona and Barcelona, ending with the ascent to Montjuïc Castle. The third stage, on 6 July, will start in Granollers and finish in Les Angles, Northern Catalonia.

Before the race begins, the traditional official presentation of participating teams will take place in Barcelona on 2 July.