The director of the Biodiversity Foundation, a public foundation of the Government of Spain, under the Ministry of the Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs, Ana Leiva, presented today, in Huesca, the award of the “Cycling and Nature Conservation” contest to the Bearded Vulture march. The standard-bearer of Spanish cycling, Joseba Beloki, and the director of the Website and Special Actions of the magazine “Ciclismo a fondo”, Pablo Bueno, have participated in the award ceremony of these awards that value environmental awareness and the sustainable use and enjoyment of natural resources.

Cycling, in addition to being the most ecological means of transport, is the sport with the greatest participation in the natural environment. Through the encouragement of these tests that run throughout the Spanish territory, the co-responsibility of society in relation to the conservation and protection of biodiversity is promoted.

The Biodiversity Foundation collaborates with the magazine “Ciclismo a fondo” in the implementation of the Biodiversity Foundation Cycling Circuit, with the aim of promoting environmentally friendly activities and raising awareness among the population about the use of bicycles as a healthy, efficient and non-polluting means of transport.

Within the framework of the Biodiversity Foundation Cycling Circuit, this contest is registered, whose award is given to the cycling tour that meets a series of environmental requirements and routines. The tasks of awareness and respect for the environment where each march takes place are valued, both in terms of the organizational task and the performance of the participants. Within the framework of this contest, 21 marches have been carried out in which 23,000 cyclists have participated.

Among the environmental routines, the following are considered fundamental: selective recycling of waste; the constancy of collaboration with official and environmental bodies in the proper development of the tests, especially when they run through protected areas; as well as the use of recycled or non-polluting materials, both in the manufacturing process of the participants’ clothing and in the fixed elements of signage or promotion.

The Bearded Vulture march, winner of the contest, runs along 200 kilometers. On the route you have to overcome four Pyrenean passes, slopes of up to 16 percent, the endless Portalet and the demanding ramps of the Hoz de Jaca, although the organizers have designed an alternative route for less trained cyclists, which allows you to visit the most picturesque sites of the Tena Valley, such as Biescas, Búbal, Escarrilla, Lanuza, Sallent de Gállego, Formigal and Tramacastilla, among others.