The early part of the Volta a Catalunya is traditionally dominated by the same kind of rolling stages where a late climb is followed by a descent to the finish. In 2016, it will be more of the same as stage 2 should be a similar affair to the opening stage. In fact, the final part of the stage is completely unchanged compared to last year’s second stage and so the riders know what to expect in what should be a sprint stage
Like last year the 178.7km stage brings the riders from Mataro on the Mediterranean coast to a finish in Olot but the first part of the stage has been changed. After a lap of a flat 10km circuit around the starting city, the riders will leave the coast to start their journey towards the finish and they will travel in a northwesterly direction for most of the day. The roads are mainly flat, with the category 3 Alt de Can Bordoi (2.4km, 6%, max. 7%) at the 26km mark being the main challenge.
Compared to last year, the stage has been harder as the riders will head to Girona where they will contest the first intermediate sprint at the 78.3km mark. Then they will tackle the famous category 1 climb of Alt de Els Angels (10km, 3.8%, max. 9) whose summit is located 70.2km from the finish. Then it’s back down to the flat valley road as they pass Banyoles where the final intermediate sprint comes with 37.9km to go.
As they get closer to Olot, the riders will hit last year’s course which finished with a circuit. With around 17km to go, the road starts to climb with a hard 2.1km section with an average gradient of 4.5% and a maximum of 7% ending 14.7km from the finish. After a short descent, the roads are gradually rising.
The summit comes with 6.2km to go and then there’s a short descent before the riders hit a long, mainly flat section. Inside, the final kilometre, there’s a small rise and then the final 500m are slightly descending at an average of 2%. The finale is pretty uncomplicated with just two small turns between the 2km and 1km to go marks. The final right-hand turn comes with 1300m to go and from there it is a long, straight road to the finish.
Last year was the first time that this finish was used. The stage was held in torrential rain but this did not prevent a bunch sprint finish. Jose Joaquin Rojas did a perfect lead-out for Alejandro Valverde who picked up important bonus seconds by winning the downhill sprint, with Rojas making it a 1-2 for Movistar.
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