Race analysis, favourites, and predictions for Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2024

The Volta Ciclista a Catalunya has been characterized in recent years as a mountainous race that offers few opportunities for sprinters. This year, this trend is even more pronounced, with the inclusion of a new stage (stage 6) in the region of Berguedà, finishing at the Santuari de Queralt (6 km at 7.2%). This is the usual training ground for the charismatic American cyclist Sepp Kuss (800), who has become the idol of the local fans, and will surely try to achieve a victory there.

Route

As we mentioned, the sixth stage represents the main novelty in the route, as the rest of the stages are quite similar to those of previous editions. Two stages in the high mountains of the Pyrenees (stages 2 and 3), two with medium mountain profiles (stages 1 and 5), a flat stage which will be the only clear opportunity for sprinters (stage 4), and the usual final stage at the Montjuïc mountain circuit, in Barcelona (stage 7).

Favorites

Tadej Pogačar (1200) makes his debut in the race and is the top favorite for the overall victory. Other contenders for the general classification are Alexandr Vlasov (1200), Enric Mas (1000), Geraint Thomas (1000), Simon Yates (1000), Sepp Kuss (800), Mikel Landa (800), Tao Geoghegan Hart (800), Nairo Quintana (600), João Almeida (1200), or Lenny Martinez (400), among others.

Photo: © ASO / Manel Montilla