Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2024 – Stage 1

A finale we have seen before.

Route

Finale

The riders tackle a climb not too far from the line. The top is just 20 km from the finish.

Following is rolling terrain. It is not the hardest climbs in the world but surely someone will hope an attack can stick. The descent you see is not the easiest either.

The last five kilometers. Everyone wants to be in a good position for the descent. There isn’t a lot of time or space to move up once in the city. The last 900m rise to the line are 4.4%. It is a harder sprint than it looks.

Weather

Warm, dry and not too much wind. A tailwind sprint.

Contenders

Pogacar – I hate to be boring but he is the favorite for tomorrow.

E. Hayter – he has come here to hunt stage wins. He was 6th here in 2023 and his current level does not suggest he will improve that tomorrow.

Laurance – the type of stage he should, in theory, excel at. A top-10.

M. van den Berg – probably the fastest sprinter who can survive the climbing. He won a stage in Tour de Pologne with the same uphill drag.

Cortina – he was surprisingly good in the opening weekend, but the form seems to have worn off. I think a top-10 is plausible.

Coquard – his type of sprint. He hasn’t looked very good this season, or at least not in the races I’ve seen.

Godon – top-10 performance. Loves a sprint like this.

Schelling – 3rd here in 2023. That was a good result. I’d imagine a top-10.

Van Gils – He is flying just now. He was 4th here last season, I’d expect the same more or less.

S. Williams – should be a stage where he can contest for a strong result. A top-10.

Who will win?

Welcome to the Pogacar show.