Lopez: Volta a Catalunya's final stage is key to it all
Race leader expecting major battle on last stage
Miguel Angel López (Astana Pro Team) had a straightforward first day as Volta a Catalunya leader on Friday's stage 5, but the Colombian warned that the final stage through Montjuic park on Sunday "could be a very different story."
Sunday's final stage features multiple ascents of the hilly Montjuic circuit in central Barcelona, and with rain forecast for the urban circuit, crashes are more than likely, as well as the usual run of attacks.
"I'm expecting a really big battle on that last stage, it'll be the key to it all," López told reporters after finishing tenth on stage 5 and closely shadowed by GC runner-up Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott).
His current advantage of 14 seconds over Adam Yates should be enough for stage 6, a hilly but relatively uncomplicated day - unless there are coastal cross-winds - through western Catalonia on Saturday, Lopez argued.
"For sure there will be a breakaway or a bunch sprint, I don't think it'll be too tough. But Sunday will be different," López commented.
Friday's run out of the Pyrenees down towards Barcelona was fast but straightforward, López said, "because we were watching the GC guys and hoped that a big break, with maybe eight or 10 guys should go clear. But that didn't happen, there were fewer at the end.
"However, I felt good despite the speed" - averaging 42.6 kph despite the first category climb of La Collada de Toses at the start - "and there weren't any problems.
"This isn't like the Giro d'Italia, where I hope to start the race in full condition, here I've been getting better little by little. And I hope that'll continue all the way to Barcelona."

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The Independent, The Guardian, ProCycling, The Express and Reuters.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.