Spain's oldest stage race has attracted a stellar start of general classification riders for 2016 with the likes of grand tour winner Chris Froome (Team Sky), Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff), Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team) and Ryder Hesjedal (Trek-Segafredo).
Add to that list Richie Porte (BMC Racing), Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), Rigoberto Urán (Cannondale), Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing Team), Dan Martin (Etixx-Quick Step), Louis Meintjes (Lampre-Merida), Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge), Warren Barguil (Giant-Alpecin), Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin), Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) and Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) and even cracking the top-ten will be a good result.
The two days key to deciding the overall will be held in the Pyrenees across stage 3 to La Molina and stage 4 to Port Ainé. With no time trials to speak off, the time gaps will be minimal which would leave it all to race for on the final day Montjuïc circuit in Barcelona. With the field stacked in favour of the GC men, Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) is the best-recognised sprinter in the bunch.
All-in-all, the 2016 Volta a Catalunya is set up for a classic edition with Cyclingnews bringing you daily stage reports, results, photos and news from the Spanish race so you don’t miss a thing.
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2015 | Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2014 | Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2013 | Race history
