After last year's planned 100th edition of the Volta a Catalunya ran foul of COVID, organisers have backed up with a traditional journey around the northeastern region of Spain, taking in the climbs and challenges of the area.
Some of the top general classification contenders in the world are present on the startline, with five Grand Tour winners in Chris Froome (Israel Start-Up Nation), Simon Yates (Team BikeExchange), Richard Carapaz (INEOS Grenadiers), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) all vying to be the best in Barcelona.
Past editions of the race have seen Spanish legends of cycling dominate, but you only have to go back to 2015 to find an Australian winner in Richie Porte (INEOS Grenadiers). The Tasmanian is taking to the start after crashing out of Paris-Nice, but appeared to be in good form ahead of that poor luck.
He will be joined by fellow Australian GC contenders in Lucas Hamilton (Team BikeExchange) who was fourth at Paris-Nice and 2020 Giro d'Italia runner-up Jai Hindley (Team DSM).
Volta Catalunya Stage-by-Stage on SBS VICELAND
LIVE to Eastern States (delayed to other time zones on SBS HD), live streaming to all SBS On Demand
Stage 1: 178 km Calella to Calella
It's become the traditional start to the Volta a Catalunya and the intriguing parcours looks set to give attackers or the sprinting climbers the best chance at claiming the first white and green leader's jersey.
Live on SBS VICELAND: Volta Catalunya Stage 1
Source: Getty
Tuesday March 23
0120 - 0315 AEDT
Stage 2: 18.5 km TT in Banyoles
The course is actually a bit shorter than the orginally planned route (shown below) and will give those general classification candidates with pedigree against the clock a chance to shine.
Live on SBS VICELAND: Volta Catalunya Stage 2
Source: ASO
Wednesday March 24
0115 - 0315 AEDT
Stage 3: 203 kms Canal Olímpic de Catalunya to Vallter 2000
Despite the length of the stage, it's alll about the final climb today! The 11 kilometres climb to the finish line atop Vallter averages 7.6 per cent, a serious challenge that the pure climbers will be keen to tackle.
Source: ASO
Live on SBS VICELAND: Volta Catalunya Stage 3
Thursday March 25
0115 - 0315 AEDT
Stage 4: 167kms Ripoll - Port Aine
A series of testing climbs should make the racing nice and open for a potential breakaway to have a crack at the stage win if the teams of the climbers won't or can't keep the race together for someone from the peloton to take the win.
The summit finish to Port Aine contains rough road surfaces, a bit of gravel and a overall length of 18.5 kilometres at an average gradient of 6.8 per cent.
Live on SBS VICELAND: Volta Catalunya Stage 4
Source: ASO
Friday March 26
0115 - 0315 AEDT
Stage 5: 201 kms La Pobla de Segur to Manresa
The Port de Montserrat climb, 8.5kms at 6.9 per cent appears the decisive point of the course, but with 27 kms to the finish from the peak of the climb, there will be plenty of scope for action on the run to the finish.
Live on SBS VICELAND: Volta Catalunya Stage 5
Source: ASO
Saturday March 27
0115 - 0315 AEDT
Stage 6: 194 kms Tarragona to Mataró
A hilly day in the saddle, but one that might finally provide some respite for the climbers and hope for the attackers.
Live on SBS VICELAND: Volta Catalunya Stage 6
Source: ASO
Sunday March 28
0115 - 0315 AEDT
Stage 7: 133 kms Barcelona to Barcelona
The last stage of the Volta a Catalunya revolves around Alto de Montjuïc in Barcelona. It will be a short and sweet one for spectators, with the final battle of the week of racing coming down to six circuits on a hilly 7.8 kilometres city course containing the nasty climb of Alto de Montjuïc.
Live on SBS VICELAND: Volta Catalunya Stage 7
Source: ASO
Monday March 29
2130 - 2330 AEDT
