Volta a Catalunya, 23-29 March 2026

[Sciatic]

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.

I, of course, would never want the forum closed (facetiously or otherwise) but I had a similar comment during PN: can't we just enjoy the race at hand at face value and not as a projection/prediction about the Tour? I'm not suggesting anyone restrict their comments--but there are other comparison threads and individual rider threads to discuss. But hey, maybe I'm just still jaded after Iban Mayo's domination of Lance in the Dauphin didn't translate to the Tour

 

[topcat]

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.

The forum remains open to most. You could try putting half the forum on ignore. I couldn't be arsed myself. This could be a nice race even if Vingo wins but doesn't do the six million dollar man stuff.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I see UAE has added V$ne. Game over methinks.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Yes, I really think he's afraid of Ayuso...

Pogacar being afraid of racing Ayuso is like me being afraid my 2 year old will beat me in a foot race.

 

[Sciatic]

Pogacar being afraid of racing Ayuso is like me being afraid my 2 year old will beat me in a foot race.

He or she will eventually!

 

[search]

Stage 1 tomorrow will finish with the same uphill drag as in recent years, and as far as I can see, also the run-in will be the same as in 2025. Profile via @Devil's Elbow

Evenepoel has almost won here before, but no idea if he currently has the same kind of explosivity. Otherwise Godon usually likes this finish as well, but he tends to win mainly when the weather is worse.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Sunny weather, so it‘s a whole different stage than in 2025, I expect the likes of Stewart/Vernon, Uhlig, Govekar and maybe Sam Bennett (he‘s probably not in shape) in the mix as well. Or Red Bull and Visma drill it and Vingegaard wins, who knows

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Pogacar being afraid of racing Ayuso is like me being afraid my 2 year old will beat me in a foot race.

Depends on the obstacles in the way. Personally I have made bad experiences with the presence of chairs and tables while trying to keep up with 2 year olds. So I for one am afraid!

 

[Squire]

Sunny weather, so it‘s a whole different stage than in 2025, I expect the likes of Stewart/Vernon, Uhlig, Govekar and maybe Sam Bennett (he‘s probably not in shape) in the mix as well. Or Red Bull and Visma drill it and Vingegaard wins, who knows

Hard enough for Godon to fancy it as well, I think.

Curious to see if the sprinter field is thin enough that Hobbs may have a shot at actually getting to sprint this time. Maybe not as he has zero support. Will also be nice to see Kockelmann getting his chance again. Should be right up his alley, this finish.

 

[yaco]

Stage 1 tomorrow will finish with the same uphill drag as in recent years, and as far as I can see, also the run-in will be the same as in 2025. Profile via @Devil's Elbow

Evenepoel has almost won here before, but no idea if he currently has the same kind of explosivity. Otherwise Godon usually likes this finish as well, but he tends to win mainly when the weather is worse.

If it's the normal finish, then it may be a touch too hard for Godon.

 

[search]

If it's the normal finish, then it may be a touch too hard for Godon.

maybe, but he was 4th the past two years (basically 3rd in the sprint). And I would think the competition is quite a bit weaker now.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Stage 1 tomorrow will finish with the same uphill drag as in recent years, and as far as I can see, also the run-in will be the same as in 2025. Profile via @Devil's Elbow

Evenepoel has almost won here before, but no idea if he currently has the same kind of explosivity. Otherwise Godon usually likes this finish as well, but he tends to win mainly when the weather is worse.

If he was in his mythical tour of poland shape then I could see langelotti going for it. But I don't think he is that strong at the minute and probably has to babysit onley/Rodrigues.

Good finish for lenny aswell

 

[Squire]

If it's the normal finish, then it may be a touch too hard for Godon.

Hard? I'd almost say it could be a touch too easy for him. Might face stiff competition from the Vernon types.

 

[Netserk]

with good weather this will be easier than any previous finish here

verner sounds about right

 

[search]

it should be too hard for Vernon. The likes who finished up front in recent years are all way superiour climbers

 

[YavorD]

I'm really intrigued to see Evenepoel's performance here. Before the season I thought he may improve in his new team, but his UAE performance was disappointing. He should be much better in Catalunya. Wonder if he can be close to Vingegaard?

 

[Andre]

Doesn't this race usually have a TT¿

 

[Netserk]

Doesn't this race usually have a TT¿

no

 

[Potomac]

Doesn't this race usually have a TT¿

I thought it usually has two of them.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Approx 100 %

Okay that's rude, enough to say more than is available.

 

[Hugh Januss]

I thought it usually has two of them.

ITT in 2021, TTT in 2017. So, yeah, two.

 

[RedheadDane]

@Armchair Cyclist or @Cookster15, can this be stickied?




(For the record, AC, this is the Catalunya thread.)

 

[Salvarani]

Astana with 7 different nationalities in their line-up. Pretty cool.

Italy, Ecuador, Uruguay, Spain, Eritrea, China and Kazakhstan are represented for them here.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

This finish has always been way less sprinter-friendly than the numbers suggest, it's that hilly, twisting section along the coast beforehand that makes things harder than they seem.

On paper this should be Godon versus Pidcock, but it's not the easiest finish for positioning and thus the list of candidates is pretty long. Interested to see whether Remijn can do anything on his first race day as a full-time Alpecin rider.

 

[vappa]

I thought it usually has two of them.

That's Romandie, Catalunya usually has none