Nobody should fear this is not an invasion. Andorrans are content with their country, and the week’s events in Barcelona reflect that sentiment. On Sunday, many cars bearing Andorran plates lined the streets around Montjuïc. The Volta a Catalunya brought riders from the Pyrenees region to the city, and after the finish they returned to their foster communities to share stories from a week of competition across Catalonia.
People may not realize this is 2023. There are around one hundred professional licenses issued to riders from Andorra, with 102 confirmed by sources like Diari d’Andorra. The Cycling Federation of Andorra estimates nearly 700 euros per rider to process documents, a figure that adds up to roughly 70,000 euros for the federation’s operations. It’s fair to say Andorra has a strong track record of success when a cyclist lifts a victory arm. The Volta’s outcomes are often cited as indicators of national strength in European races.
fast home
The athlete’s instinct is woven into professional cycling culture: once the last stage crosses the line, the mind shifts to returning home. Barcelona, at the conclusion of the Volta, follows the same pattern. A rider’s crew is often seen guiding a vehicle from Andorra to the team’s base, with the rider making a quick change of clothes, a brief shower, and a moment to savor a snack or two. Then comes the long drive back to Andorra, typically about three hours behind the wheel.
exceptions
A few days of recuperation follow before movements toward upcoming challenges like Itzulia or the Tour of Flanders. Cars with Andorran plates serve as a friendly reminder for cyclists to consider a mid-year visit to Andorra, especially if they have a few days free before major races. The Envalira Pass provides scenic spots to relax, even for a moment, along the route from El Tarter to Soldeu. In the landscape of elite cycling, figures such as Tadej Pogacar, who leans toward Monaco for training, and Jonas Vingegaard, who concentrates his training in Denmark, symbolize the global nature of the sport and its diverse training locales. Other rising stars in the 2023 Tour may choose Andorra for final tune-ups before the big events.
Thus, vehicles registered in Andorra that appear near historic landmarks do not signify occupation; they simply reflect the majority of Volta participants whose teams move through the region.
Nobody should fear this is not an invasion. Andorrans are content with their country. On Sundays, many cars with Andorran plates were seen around Montjuïc. The Volta brought many riders who call the Pyrenees home, and after the race they returned to their foster families to share tales from the week-long competition in Catalonia.
In 2023, one hundred professional licenses were held by Andorran riders, with reports indicating 102 licenses and a typical processing cost of around 700 euros per rider to streamline documents. That translates to roughly 70,000 euros added to the federation’s budget, a number that underscores the country’s commitment to cycling. Andorra’s track record makes it clear: victory is celebrated when a rider raises his arms in triumph, a sentiment echoed across European events where Andorran cyclists excel.
fast home
The drive home is a familiar rhythm in professional cycling. Crossing the finish line marks not just a win, but a return to routine. Barcelona serves as a familiar waypoint after the Volta, where the homecoming includes loading the car from Andorra, a quick cooldown, a light meal, and a drive back through the mountains. The journey often lasts nearly three hours, a short reprieve before resuming daily life in Andorra.
exceptions
After a brief rest, riders head toward upcoming campaigns such as Itzulia or the Tour of Flanders. The sight of Andorran-registered cars reminds fans and cyclists alike to consider a June visit to Andorra, should free days align with the tour calendar. A pause atop the Envalira gorge, perhaps in a folding chair along the route from El Tarter to Soldeu, offers a moment of clarity before the season resumes. In the broader picture, whether Pogacar favors Monaco or Vingegaard nests in Denmark, many future Tour contenders will use Andorra as a springboard for late-season training and form.
Therefore, the presence of Andorran-registered cars next to historic towers does not indicate occupation; it reflects the fact that most Volta participants travel through Andorra as part of their training and competition schedule.