Volta a Catalunya, 23-29 March 2026

[Krzysztof_O]

At best it says nothing, at worst it looks really bad for Vingegaard.

I expect that he'll try to win all 3 mountain stages. He shouldn't normally win the Montjuic circuit, and comparing the winning gap is useless because the competition, weather, and all that will all be different.

If Vingo has problems with dispatching his rivals then it is bad. If he's stellar day in day out it's good (at least a chance for competitive Tour). Keep in mind that last year his performances were patchy, also outside the Tour. Consistency at a very high level would be a progress. Not saying it would be enough to win but at least maybe the Tour wouldn't be over after stage 6.

 

[AmRacer]

If Vingo has problems with dispatching his rivals then it is bad. If he's stellar day in day out it's good (at least a chance for competitive Tour). Keep in mind that last year his performances were patchy, also outside the Tour. Consistency at a very high level would be a progress. Not saying it would be enough to win but at least maybe the Tour wouldn't be over after stage 6.

Think Jonas will feel the Giro more than Tadej did.

 

[Berniece]

If Vingo has problems with dispatching his rivals then it is bad. If he's stellar day in day out it's good (at least a chance for competitive Tour).

What if both Evenepoel and Vingegaard are better than their rivals? Does that mean Vingegaard won’t be competitive at TDF or we have a third candidate for the win?

 

[AmRacer]

What if both Evenepoel and Vingegaard are better than their rivals? Does that mean Vingegaard won’t be competitive at TDF or we have a third candidate for the win?

What if Jonas and someone not named Remco are better than the rest? Does that mean Vingegaard won’t be competitive at TDF or we have a third candidate for the win?

 

[canina82]

What if both Evenepoel and Vingegaard are better than their rivals? Does that mean Vingegaard won’t be competitive at TDF or we have a third candidate for the win?

There is no chance Remco fights for the win in the TdF unless both Pogacar and Vingegaard crash out.

 

[Berniece]

There is no chance Remco fights for the win in the TdF unless both Pogacar and Vingegaard crash out.

That’s not what I asked

 

[Rou]

McNulty, Jay Vine, Ciccone, Skjelmose, Lenny Martinez added to the startlist.
At this point the race is more stacked than a Grand Tour. This is what happens when you create a proper route - the best riders go to test themselves.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

If Vingegaard is not a level above everyone else this could be the race of the season given how great the route is. If he is, we at least have a second chance on the perhaps even better Itzulia route. This has to be the first time ever where I'm more interested in the stage races during the height of classics season...

 

[Ulle97]

That’s not what I asked

I'll answer.... if Vingegaard does not beat Remco here, it is bad news for TDF competition. He will not beat Pogacar.

 

[canina82]

I'll answer.... if Vingegaard does not beat Remco here, it is bad news for TDF competition. He will not beat Pogacar.

Exactly. Remco beating (or close to beat) Vingegaard just means Vingegaard doesn't have what it takes to beat Pogacar in the TdF.

 

[Berniece]

Exactly. Remco beating (or close to beat) Vingegaard just means Vingegaard doesn't have what it takes to beat Pogacar in the TdF.

Everyone can get better, just not Evenepoel

 

[AmRacer]

Exactly. Remco beating (or close to beat) Vingegaard just means Vingegaard doesn't have what it takes to beat Pogacar in the TdF.

If Jonas doesn't win Catalunya with ease, no matter who's second or Jonas doesn't win at all. He won't have a chance against Pogi.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

What if both Evenepoel and Vingegaard are better than their rivals? Does that mean Vingegaard won’t be competitive at TDF or we have a third candidate for the win?

Depends how much better. There's a gap between Pogacar and Vingegaard and another gap between Vingegaard and the rest. I can't believe Evenepoel will improve so much so quickly BTW. Vingegaard should show his superiority there vs strong competition.

 

[Rob5091]

So, has Remco come down from the mountain top?

 

[Rob5091]

Expect NSN to be very active as this is their sponsor's"home turf".

 

[Potomac]

Now with MSR out of the way I'm really looking forward to this race.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Pidcock to destroy Vingegaard with his newfound superpowers… Nah, it could get onesided.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Vingegaard beating Remco on bonifications could have its charm. Question is if either of them can drop Lenny Martinez, and if Lipowitz has improved during the past month of training.

 

[Extinction]

Ask me again after stage 4. No clue how much improvement is needed to beat Vingegaard after such a disastrous climbing performance at UAE Tour.

And that's just it, climbing so disasterously at UAE Tour. How much can he improve in a month? I think his will to demonstrate to Bora he should be top dog at the Tour broke him mentally. Will that humiliation make him focus less on "proving himself" and instead on performance? Now he has the opportunity to redeem himself or sink further.

 

[Tim Cahill]

I was looking forward to reading a bit of analysis about the illustrious Volta a Catalunya 2026 but every thread seems to just merge into the same discussion, we should have a poll whether to close the forum or not.

 

[Extinction]

I was looking forward to reading a bit of analysis about the illustrious Volta a Catalunya 2026 but every thread seems to just merge into the same discussion, we should have a poll whether to close the forum or not.

Why close it? Because you want it closed? Take it easy guy, things are just getting started. And what analysis do you want? The course maps tell us it's going to be the hardest stage race of the early season and that Vingegaard is the guy to beat. Give us more, if that's what you want.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Unless Vingegaard takes it with ease, this could prove to be one of the more entertaining GC of the year

 

[Extinction]

Unless Vingegaard takes it with ease, this could prove to be one of the more entertaining GC of the year

Lipowitz is a curiosity, as in how good will he be and how the relationship with Remco will be. Who among them will the team support and then there's Dani Martinez.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Lipowitz is a curiosity, as in how good will he be and how the relationship with Remco will be. Who among them will the team support and then there's Dani Martinez.

I'm guessing they will let the road decide. It should be clear enough after the first mountain stage. But maybe not.
Who knows what will happen, part of what makes it entertaining.