Despite a late assault on today’s seventh stage at the Volta a Catalunya, 122 km from El Vendrell to Barcelona, Joaquím Rodriguez (Katusha) didn't manage to close the gap in the general classification separating him from Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp).

Martin managed to cling on to his 17'' lead and won the competition. Rodriguez had to settle for 2nd place, while Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) closed the podium, 34'' behind.

"Today, the team was very active and we attacked repeatedly,” explained Rodriguez. With support from the team I tried to attack several times during the stage in order to close the gap on general classification but Martin and his team resisted and I congratulate him with victory. Our team spent a very good race here; I think we reached a nice result. I'm satisfied with the performance and with the points we took in the WorldTour ranking. Now I'll rest and then go to a training camp in order to be in top shape for the Ardennes Classic races".

As the result of Volta a Catalunya, Joaquím Rodriguez has scored 86 points, moving him to 3rd place in the UCI WorldTour individual ranking with 144 points, 88 points point Peter Sagan from Cannondale with 232 points.