Granollers comes alive for third stage of Tour de France 

Granollers came alive on Monday morning with anticipation for the third stage of the Tour de France. 

Residents of the city and people from all over Catalonia and beyond claimed positions early so as to not miss the cyclists as they passed through. 

The racers set out at 12:10 pm, though some spectators were in their viewing spots as early as 9 am. 

The Granollers City Council distributed yellow scarves to the spectators on "a historic and unique day for the city."

Some spectators traveled from beyond Catalonia, including José Miguel López, for example, who came from Valencia. 

López commented that Granollers was calmer than the "madness of Barcelona" on the first two days of the Tour.

The third stage had riders passing through the main arteries of Granollers on a neutralized start. 

The participants of the race passed along iconic streets such as Anselm Clavé. 

After the neutralized start through Granollers, the race climbs the Pyrenees to Les Angles, France, passing through Vic, Manresa, Berga and Puigcerdà. 

In the town of Vic, spectators also set up early to have the best view for the race. 

One such resident, Rosa Pou, and her son Josep Jufré, were up at 6 am to claim their spots.

Jufré is a former professional cyclist who now operates one of the biggest cycling schools in Catalonia with almost 300 students, Jufré Cycling. 

In his 16 year career, Jufré competed in the La Vuelta a España, the Giro d'Italia and, even once, the Tour de France. 

"It is one of those days that awakens passions for both people who really like cycling and those who don't," said Jufré about the Tour passing through Vic.