The organizers of the Volta a Catalunya have announced the course for the 95th edition of the race which will take place from March 23-29, 2015.
The course for the Spanish WorldTour race will again be a mountainous affair as it includes 24 climbs, one of the HC category, 8 of the first category, two of the second category and 13 in the third category. The stage that finishes in La Molina will be the queen stage of the Catalan race and it will be followed by another stage in the mountains between Alp and Valls.
The first three stages are expected to suit the sprinters that can overcome smaller climbs. For the third year in a row, the race will end with a tough stage on the Montjuic climb in Barcelina, with the stage finishing with seven laps of the well-known 6.1km circuit that includes the third category ascent of Can Valera.
In general, the race follows the script of the last few editions with no time trials, several lumpy stages and two big mountain stages that will decide the overall.
Route:
Stage 1: Calella - Calella, 191.1km
Stage 2: Mataró - Olot, 195km
Stage 3: Girona - Girona, 159.6km
Stage 4: Tona - La Molina (Alp), 191km
Stage 5: Alp - Valls, 197km
Stage 6: Cervera - Port Aventura, 197.7km
Stage 7: Barcelona - Barcelona (Montjuic), 123.5km
Last year, Joaquim Rodriguez won the race ahead of Contador, van Garderen, Bardet, Quintana and Froome. Daniel Martin won in 2013, Michael Albasini in 2012, Michele Scarponi in 2011, Joaquim Rodriguez took his first win in 2010 and Alejandro Valverde took the victory in 2009.
Pierre BOILARD 55 years | today |
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Mark O'CALLAGHAN 28 years | today |
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