2021 Volta a Catalunya Race Preview
The details of this year's 2021 Volta a Catalunya are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The 2021 Volta a Catalunya promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated stage races of the spring calendar, bringing together an exceptional field of riders across seven stages through the varied terrain of northeastern Spain. The race, which runs from Monday to Sunday, offers a compelling mix of flat sprint stages, medium mountain days, and summit finishes that should produce a genuine all-round champion.
The star attraction is undoubtedly Tadej Pogacar, the reigning Tour de France champion who arrives in Catalonia following an already impressive start to his season. The young Slovenian from UAE Team Emirates will be under enormous scrutiny as rivals look to test him ahead of the summer's major tours. His ability to climb, time trial, and read a race with tactical maturity beyond his years makes him the overwhelming favourite, though the race is unlikely to be straightforward.
Primoz Roglic leads a powerful Jumbo-Visma squad and will be desperate to get one over his compatriot and rival after the painful losses he has suffered in recent times. The Giro d'Italia champion Egan Bernal is another contender to watch, while Alejandro Valverde will relish racing in familiar Spanish territory and cannot be written off despite his advancing years. Simon Yates, Richie Porte, and Mikel Landa also add depth to a genuinely competitive general classification battle.
The race concludes with the famous climb to La Molina, which should settle any outstanding questions at the top of the standings.
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