Voted Best
ISSUE NO. 1755
21 - 27 February 2019
Newspaper in Spain 2017 & 2018
COSTA DE ALMERÍA YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
THE Almeria Cycling Classic was an all-round triumph. Sunday’s thrilling race attracted leading international competitors and was broadcast live on Eurosport to 40 different countries. This was the 23rd edition of what is now a top level sports event. Among the 18 teams taking part were some of the world’s best, including Spain’s Movistar, the Australian Mitchelton-Scott, Cofidis from France, Katusha from Switzerland, the German Bora-Hansgrohe, Rally UHC Cycling from the US and the Russian Gazprom. Cyclists battled it out over a tough 192-kilometre route. Starting in Almeria City and ending in Roquetas de Mar, they went through Viator, Rioja, Tabernas, the Filabres mountains, Uleila del Campo, Cuesta Blanca, Sorbas, Lucainena de las Torres, the Alhamilla mountains and Turrillas. German rider Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) was first across the finishing line following a hard-fought final
CREDIT: Almeria Provincial Council website
Cycling classic triumph
CHAMPION: German Pascal Ackermann took top spot on the podium. sprint, closely followed by compatriot Marcel Kittel (Team Katusha-Alpecin). Slovenian Luka Mezgec (MitcheltonScott) took third place on the podium. “We wanted the race to continue crossing borders, and we achieved that,” said Almeria Council president Javier A Garcia in reference to the TV
coverage. The provincial council head described Almeria as a ‘reference point’ for cycling and an ideal training location for teams, adding: “We are going to continue working to consolidate our province as a leading cycling destination at European and world level.”
Tradition and innovation THE Gastro Andalucia food fair will blend the most traditional regional cooking with the very latest in culinary innovation, Vera mayor Feliz Lopez has promised. The mayor described this weekend’s event at Vera’s El Palmeral fairground, as ‘unique’ in Almeria with its aim of reviving local cooking traditions while embracing new ideas. Lopez also labelled Gastro Andalucia a ‘showcase’ for the Levante area of the province, with Vera at its ‘gastronomic heart.’ The mayor was speaking at a presentation of the fair at the official base for the 2019 Almeria Spanish Gastronomy Capital events and activities in Almeria City, accompanied by chefs from some of the area’s most prestigious eateries.
This, the third edition of Gastro Andalucia, runs for three days, starting tomorrow (Friday). Fair co-ordinator Juan Leal promised it will be “a fair for everyone, thought out so it can be enjoyed by families.” Vera Trade Councillor Francisca Garcia explained one of the novelties this year is the 3,000sqm marquee “to bring together all the fair events in the same area and integrate the gastronomy with the folklore and craft events and performances.” Gastro Andalucia unites some of the top regional and national chefs and the Sabores Almeria gourmet brand producers, the cooking demonstrations, tastings and workshops clearly among the main attractions. There will also be live music, performances of folk
dancing and demonstrations by artisans skilled in crafts including lace, basket making and pottery. Special family-orientated games and activities are a further feature of the fair. The event has the full sup-
port of the provincial government, Almeria Council Agriculture and Environment Deputy Maria Lopez Asensio saying it showed off the high quality of Almeria cuisine and produce, and encouraged the public to go along.
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