Volta a Catalunya 2016 – Stage 7 Preview
By David Hunter Barcelona – Barcelona 136.4km The final stage approaches. This stage does give a last opportunity for the GC riders, but it’s difficult to make big gaps.
By David Hunter Barcelona – Barcelona 136.4km The final stage approaches. This stage does give a last opportunity for the GC riders, but it’s difficult to make big gaps.
By David Hunter Deinze – Wevelgem 243km It’s always hard for a race, when it has to follow an epic edition. 2015 was easily the best race of the season, I wonder what 2016 will offer us?
By David Hunter Saint Joan Despi – Vilanova i la Geltru 197.2km The longest stage of the race.
By David Hunter Rialp – Valls 178.2km After a couple of days in the mountains, we return to some easier terrain.
By David Hunter Harelbeke – Harelbeke 206.4km The only race named after a motorway! It really sounds like a boring affair, it’s far from it. The peloton continue in Belgium, after DDV on Wednesday, with Gent-Wevelgen to follow on Sunday. Many of the top riders skipped DDV, as the Friday/Sunday race schedule is very demanding.
By David Hunter Baga – Port Aine 172.2km Easily one of the hardest stages of the season. Coming in March, this is a real test of climbing ability. The stage starts nice and easy, but the second half is brutal.
By David Hunter Girona – La Molina 172.1km This is a tough day in the saddle with 4 cat 1 climbs.
By David Hunter Roeselare – Waregem 200km After the tragic events today in Belgium, the organisers are still saying the race will go ahead. A final decision will be made tomorrow, depending on the terror alert level in Belgium. We really do live in sad times.
By David Hunter Mataro – Olot 178.7km Like stage 1, this is very similar to the stage from last year, but not exactly the same.
By David Hunter Calella – Calella 175.8km The race begins with a tough day in the saddle, no gentle start to this race.
By David Hunter We return to Spain, only feels like we left it a few days ago. Catalunya remains one of the few week long stage races, not to have a TT. You can tell when you look at some of the past winners: Dan Martin, Joaquim Rodriguez, Alejandro Valverde and Michele Scarponi. This is a…
By David Hunter Milan-Sanremo 291km Welcome to the first monument of 2016. The riders tackle the well worn road to Sanremo. At 291km, it’s a monster of a race.
By David Hunter San Benedetto del Tronto 10km ITT The stage is set for a dramatic day by the sea. Today’s brilliant attacking riding seemed to take some of the GC riders by surprise, it certainly narrowed the list of potential winners.
By David Hunter Castelraimondo – Cepagatti 216km After the cancellation of the Queen stage, this seemingly innocent looking stage will see some fierce fighting. I’ll cut straight to the chase, the need for bonus seconds will kill the hopes of any breakaway rider. This is all about the last 30km.
By David Hunter Nice – Nice 134km Quite a short stage, but still lots of climbing for the peloton. With the GC all but sewn up, some of the other riders might just come out to play.
By David Hunter Montalto di Castro – Foligno 222km A long day in the saddle for the peloton, with plenty of climbing.
By David Hunter Nice – La Madone d’Utelle 177km Time to see if Michael Matthews can win this race!
By David Hunter Castelnuovo Val di Cecina – Montalto di Castro 176km With few opportunities for the quick men, they must seize every chance they get. Stage 3 is their first opportunity.