🚴♂️ The Volta Is Here: One Week, Seven Stages, All Gas
- Nathan Allen
- Mar 23
- 2 min read
Starts Monday. Here’s your cheat sheet.
It’s go time in Catalunya. The Volta a Catalunya rolls out Monday, March 24, and if you’re not watching, you’re missing one of the most loaded start lists of the early cycling season. This isn’t just a tune-up—it’s a battle between Grand Tour giants across seven gnarly stages of climbing, counterattacks, and Catalan chaos.
If you’re only tuning in for the Tour de France, you’re doing it wrong. Here’s what to know before the wheels turn.
📺 How to Watch (Wherever You Are)
U.S.: Peacock or GCN+
EU/UK: Eurosport or GCN+
Start Times: Vary by stage, usually late morning CET / early AM ET
Pro tip: Catch recaps on GCN if you’re not a 4AM wake-up warrior
🧨 Big Names. Bigger Battles.
This year’s Volta isn’t a warm-up—it’s a statement. We’re getting a GC brawl with Tour de France implications.
🔥 Roglič vs. Vingegaard
Jumbo-Visma civil war, anyone? Roglič has a chip on his shoulder after a rough 2024, and Vingegaard is out to prove he’s more than just a Tour specialist. They’re not here for the scenery.
⚔️ Remco’s Revenge Tour
Remco Evenepoel is back after injury setbacks and has something to prove on long climbs. If he smells blood, expect fireworks on Stage 4’s mountain finish.
🧗♂️ Juan Ayuso & João Almeida
The UAE boys are young, punchy, and dangerous. If the big guns hesitate, these two will light it up.
⛰️ Stages That Could Flip Everything
Stage 3 (March 26): Mountain finish to Vallter 2000 — brutal, high-altitude test
Stage 5 (March 28): Loopy mid-mountain chaos — watch for a breakaway ambush
Stage 7 (March 30): Barcelona finale — short, steep, explosive. GC still in play.
🧠 TL;DR
The Volta isn’t background noise. It’s a pressure cooker.
The Tour de France pecking order starts right here—and if you blink, you’ll miss a critical moment. Set your alarm. Or at least set your recap feed.