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Reviewing the track record of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, it is not difficult to deduce that it is a race specially designed for a specialist in the mountain to take the General. In the last decade, Spanish climbers have been the great dominators of the event, with three victories for Alejandro Valverde (1200) (2009, 2017 and 2018), two for Joaquím Rodríguez (2010 and 2014) and one for Alberto Contador (2011), who also got three second places. Other winners of the race are also pure climbers such as Nairo Quintana (1200) (2016), Richie Porte (1000) (2015) or Dan Martin (1000) (2013). The three return this year to the Volta.

One of the keys that explains this clarifying domain of the climbers is that the Volta a Catalunya does not have time trial. Thus, specialists in the mountain who do not defend themselves so well against the clock have the chance to win a race by stages.

Favorites to the general

The maximum favorite for the General will be, again, Alejandro Valverdre (1200), who will try the feat of taking the third consecutive Volta. Last year was a real exhibition of el Bala, who won the General Classification and won two very different stages, one sprint and one in the mountain. Nairo Quintana (1200) and Pierre Latour (800) completed the podium.

Other important names of the international squad that presumably will fight the General Classification are the British brothers Simon Philip Yates (1200) and Adam Yates (1000), the Spanish Enric Mas (1000) and Marc Soler (800) , the French Tibaut Pinot (1200), Romain Bardet (1000) or David Gaudu (400), or the Colombians Miguel Ángel López (1000) and Egan Arley Bernal (1200) who deserves special mention after proclaiming himself champion of Paris-Nice. In the race of the Sun, the Sky youth has already proved to be a first sword of the team, passing in front of a Michael Kwiatkowski (1200) who showed weakness in the decisive stage on Saturday.

It will be necessary to see the intentions of two of the great riders that have not practically competed this year: Chris Froome (1200) and Steven Kruijswijk (1200). On the other hand, the Volta will also be an exceptional showcase for young promising world cyclists. They will be Remco Evenepoel (200) and Tadej Pogacar (200), among others.+

A Volta with history

The Volta a Catalunya was held for the first time in 1911, and is the fourth oldest stage race in the world, after the Tour de France (1903), the Tour of Belgium (1908) and the Giro d'Italia (1909). For the 2019 edition the Volta prepares us some surprises.

Stage 1. More mountainous than ever

It is the eighth time in a row that the race starts with a Calella-Calella stage, although the route is modified every year. While last year was a favorable terrain and ended in a sprint (the Colombian Deceuninck - Quickstep Álvaro José Hodeg Chagui (1000) won), in the current edition the runners will have to overcome three ports of 1st category and twice the Coll de Collsacreu, a small port of 3rd category that is crowned for the second time at 20 km from the finish line. So, in the first stage, if the sprinters want to have options, they will have to work hard. The breakaway can arrive.

Stage 2. Three hills to finish the sprint

Although it may already be from a selected group. Four ports of 3rd category are passed to finish in a fast finish in Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

Stages 3 and 4. The race is played

Everything points to be the decisive stages for the General Classification. These are purely mountain days, both with a high end, in the Pyrenean ski resorts of Vallter 2000 and La Molina, respectively. Pure spectacle

Stages 5 and 6. Massive sprints

A priori it is the most favorable stages to finish the sprint. Sprinters confirmed for the Volta moment: André Greipel (1000), Álvaro José Hodeg Chagui (1000). We will have to be aware to the startlist.

Stage 7. A final circuit to finish

The last stage is held in Barcelona, ​​with 8 laps to a final circuit of 6.6 km on the Montjuic mountain, which contains a 2 km rise to 5.7%, with maximum ramps of 8%. Last year Simon Yates (1200) won while Alejandro Valverde (1200) won in 2015 and 2017.