Barcelona was the scene of another seasonal goal for Rafael Valls. The Spanish rider from Team LAMPRE-MERIDA finished in the top 10 of the overall classification, in 8th place 43" from the winner Porte.

The 8 laps of the circuit with the Montjuic climb did not create problems for Valls, despite the fact that he could not rely on the support from teammate Przemyslaw Niemiec who did not take part in the race because of the consequences of the crash he was involved in during the previous stage (hip contusion). LAMPRE-MERIDA's captain crossed the finish line in 9th place at the end of a sprint that was won by Valverde.

Valls added the final 8th place to a good series of top results obtained in 2015: the victory in the Tour de Oman, with the queen stage success, and the 8th place in Paris-Nice.

"I'm very happy I could  again finish in the top ten of a World Tour race, giving to the team important points for the ranking," Valls explained. "The Volta a Catalunya has been very demanding. The breakaway in the first stage threatened the overall classification, but in each stage there was a battle that turned the situation.

"With this development, it was important to make consistent performances and I think I succeeded in doing so, despite the crash in the final kilometer of the stage to Valls.

"I thank my teammates for their support which allowed me to battle against the top riders. My next appointments will be the Ardennes Classics and the Tour de Romandie."