The valuable legacy of Esport Ciclista Barcelona is transferred to the Historical Archive of Barcelona.
Esport Ciclista Barcelona (ECB) has left a major legacy for the history of cycling in Catalonia and Spain. This legacy has recently found a new home in the Historical Archive of the City of Barcelona (HACB), marking a significant milestone in the preservation and dissemination of cycling history.
At a highly significant event, the transfer agreement was signed on 24 April at the archive’s magnificent offices, in the Gothic palace of the Casa de l’Ardiaca, located next to Barcelona’s hallowed cathedral.
Among those attending this remarkable transfer of cycling culture were Joaquim Sabaté, the current president of ECB and the CFO and Director of Human Resources of Inverse, accompanied by his brother Joan Sabaté, the CEO of Inverse, and Jordi Martinez, who is responsible for the club’s archive.
Signing of the agreement at Casa de l’Ardiaca
The highly significant signing of the transfer agreement took place in the magnificent surroundings of the HACB, in the Gothic palace of the Casa de l’Ardiaca, located next to Barcelona’s imposing cathedral. In this iconic setting, Joaquim Sabaté, the current president of ECB and the CFO and Director of Human Resources of Inverse, with his brother Joan Sabaté, the commercial director of Inverse, signed the transfer agreement. They were accompanied by Jordi Martínez, who is responsible for the ECB club archive.
A valuable transfer of documentation related to cycling culture
The archive that has been transferred to the HACB contains a unique collection of posters that bear witness to two emblematic events in the history of Catalan cycling: the Escalada a Montjuïc and Catalan Cycling Week, from their inception in the 1960s to the final events which took place at the beginning of the twenty-first century. These events were not only milestones in cycling competition, but also contributed to the culture and identity of Barcelona and Catalonia in general.
The history of Inverse and cycling
The ties between the ECB and the Inverse brand add another layer of significance to this transfer. The history of the Inverse brand is intertwined with the history of Spanish and Catalan cycling, through the figure of Joaquim Sabate i Dausà, the company’s founder. His passion for cycling and his commitment to the ECB club reflect the brand’s deep roots in cycling culture.
The legacy of Joaquim Sabaté
Joaquim Sabaté, an iconic figure in the world of Catalan cycling, played a crucial role in the history of the ECB. From his participation in the club in the 1950s to his presidency from 1962 to 2001, Sabaté was a tireless promoter of cycling in Catalonia. His legacy lives on not only in the memory of the club, but also in the posthumous recognition he received, such as the award of the Barcelona Medal of Honour in 2002.
The transfer of the ECB archive to the HACB not only ensures that a priceless legacy will be preserved, but also guarantees that the history of Catalan cycling will continue to inspire generations to come.
