Road racing has traditionally been one of the most popular sports in Spain and, although recent doping scandals have dampened enthusiasm, it remains a firm favourite in Catalonia. While the Pyrenees stages of the Tour de France trigger an annual pilgrimage to the mountains, there are prestigious races in Barcelona too. The Tour of Catalonia (Volta de Catalunya) is a seven day event held at the end of May that draws a pool of the world’s top riders to the region. The Escalada a Montjuïc, meanwhile, is an October event, one of the last of the European racing season. Held since 1965, the great Eddie Merckx won six of the first ten races. It takes place over one day but is split into two stages: a 5km circuit followed by a 10km time trial up the slopes of Montjuïc. Meanwhile, the Horta Velodrome (93 427 91 42, www.agendabcn.com) holds regular track-racing events throughout the year, including the Championships of Catalonia in May.