Football and cycling in Asturias: the derby and the Angliru

For anyone spending a season in Oviedo, following the region’s sport is one more way to live it like a local. Here’s what’s worth knowing.

The Asturian derby

Football in Asturias revolves around the derby between Real Oviedo and Real Sporting de Gijón, one of the most storied rivalries in Spanish football, with over a century of matches between the two clubs. Real Oviedo play their home games at the Carlos Tartiere, inside the city itself.

The Angliru, a cycling legend

The Vuelta a España climbs the Alto de l’Angliru, in the Asturian municipality of Riosa, in many of its editions — one of the toughest mountain climbs in professional cycling because of its gradient. It’s not in Oviedo itself, but it’s essential knowledge for anyone who follows cycling and is staying in the region when the race comes through.

Living the sport from the old town

For anyone here for a project or a few months, following the Asturian derby or a Vuelta stage passing through the region is one more way to experience Oviedo like a local, without breaking the routine of a seasonal stay.