As it happened: Experienced Dane is the fastest to the line on stage 2 of Volta a Catalunya 2026

1. Dorian Godon (IGD) 7:46’27”
2. Magnus Cort (UXM) S.T.
3. Remco Evenepoel (RBH) +4″
4. Tom Pidcock (PQT) +6″
5. Thomas Silva (XAT) +10″
6. Andrea Raccagni Noviero (SOQ)
7. Antoine l’Hote (DCT)
8. Lenny Martinez (TBV)
9. Rudy Molard (GFC)
10. Anton Charmig (UXM) all same time

1. Magnus Cort (UXM) 3:45’28”
2. Noa Isidore (DCT)
3. Francesco Busatto (APT)
4. Dorian Godon (IGD)
5. Alberto Dainese (SOQ)
6. Thomas Silva (XAT)
7. Noah Hobbs (EFE)
8. Ivo Oliveira (UAD)
9. Toon Aerts (LOI)
10. Sergi Darder (CJR) all same time.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T15:59:43.602Z

Magnus Cort sprints to victory on stage 2 of the Volta a Catalunya 2026!

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T15:58:53.775Z

500 metres to go

2026-03-24T15:58:31.102Z

Alpecin-Premier Tech, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Uno-X Mobility and XDS-Astana battling for the front.

Slock caught just as they go under the kite with Bahrain Victorious leading the bunch.

2026-03-24T15:57:20.348Z

Soudal-QuickStep take over the pacing for Dainese.

2026-03-24T15:56:52.804Z

Into the final 2km with Slock looking back which will stall his progress slightly. Visma-Lease a Bike breaking his heart.

2026-03-24T15:56:03.204Z

3km to go. Veistroffer is caught with Slock holding seven seconds with the peloton now being led by Visma-Lease a Bike.

2026-03-24T15:55:23.355Z

Slock goes solo after Veistroffer gave him absolutely everything.

2026-03-24T15:55:00.592Z

George Bennett has been key to bringing the time gap right down to the leaders.

Veistroffer and Slock have been incredible and still have 11 seconds on the charging peloton.

2026-03-24T15:52:22.310Z

6km to go and now it is down hill all the way to Banyoles before the final kick to the line.

2026-03-24T15:51:31.207Z

Lipowitz flies across the gap with several others and that has stitched the peloton back together once again. EF Education-EasyPost and Ineos Grenadiers lead with 7km to go and the gap is just 14 seconds up to Slock and Veistroffer.

2026-03-24T15:50:26.279Z

Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) is out the back and is trying to use a kicker to bridge back across to the peloton.

2026-03-24T15:49:22.070Z

Uhlig confirmed to have abandoned.

2026-03-24T15:49:11.442Z

The peloton has split far more than first thought with about 80 riders missing from the lead part of the bunch with Jayco-AlUla leading the chase.

2026-03-24T15:48:37.748Z

It looks like Uhlig has abandoned after hitting the deck

2026-03-24T15:47:50.954Z

There has been a split in the bunch due to the crash of Uhlig with about 30 or so riders caught out.

Henri Uhlig (Alpecin-Premier Tech)

He is in a heap on the road and not too close to his bike. He came down on his own, though. He looks in a lot of pain.

George Bennett (NSN) comes to the front for Vernon. The New Zealand national champion has taken a bit more time off them with 38 seconds between them.

2026-03-24T15:44:13.071Z

Three and a half hours ridden with the average speed at 44.3kph.

2026-03-24T15:43:51.368Z

Lotto-Intermarche have a rider trying to disturb the chase in the peloton but multiple teams come up and bully him out. Slock and Veistroffer have 44 seconds with 12km to go.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T15:39:24.923Z

NSN are going all in on this descent to try and bring this leading duo back and the gap does dip under a minute with 16km to go.

2026-03-24T15:38:42.600Z

Another rider on his way back to racing, like Bennett, is Filippo Baroncini (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and he goes out the back after doing his job.

2026-03-24T15:37:50.589Z

Steinhauser is struggling at the back of the peloton. Perhaps he’s developed an illness after taking third at a very unpleasant Paris-Nice.

2026-03-24T15:35:54.171Z

Veistroffer now working flat out for Slock to try and take a surprise win.

Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto-Intermarche)

The Frenchman kicks on with teammate, Slock, now bridging across to him as Uriarte goes pop on this little kicker.

2026-03-24T15:34:42.911Z

The break still have a minute and 11 seconds over the peloton led by Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, NSN, Visma-Lease a Bike and Ineos Grenadiers on this technical descent.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T15:30:31.706Z

Just one minute and 20 seconds between the trio out front and the peloton which has multiple teams on the front battling for dominance including Lidl-trek, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Pinarello-Q36.5, Visma-Lease a Bike and more.

2026-03-24T15:29:32.766Z

Veistroffer comes back on the descent and they are really pushing hard.

2026-03-24T15:25:27.863Z

Abandon from Riley Pickrell (MAP).

Veistroffer really hurting on the last bits of the climb and is just off the back of his teammate, Slock, as well as Uriarte. One and a half minutes to the peloton.

2026-03-24T15:22:22.341Z

Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost) and Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek) right at the back of the peloton, at the moment.

2026-03-24T15:21:25.105Z

In about 5km the riders will start a rapid descent that is interrupted by a couple of kickers but it almost entirely downhill to the finish town of Banyoles before kicking up to the line.

2026-03-24T15:18:14.600Z

However, if Godon wins or finishes second today he will go back into the lead.

2026-03-24T15:17:32.363Z

Veistroffer takes every single intermediate sprint and KOM sprint for the second day in a row. He is also five points ahead of Godon in the points classification.

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts 3″
2. Slock (LOI) 2pts 2″
3. Uriarte (EKP) 1pt 1″

2026-03-24T15:14:43.192Z

The leading trio has two minutes on the peloton with 1km to the final intermediate sprint of the day in Olot.

2026-03-24T15:14:09.167Z

Three hours in and the average speed in 43.9kph. This is a rapid day!

2026-03-24T15:11:29.738Z

The gap drops back down to two minutes and 10 seconds.

2026-03-24T15:09:56.260Z

Sam Bennett (Pinarello-Q36.5) helps Pidcock back in after a nature break but, unfortunately, Bennett’s legs say no more and he drops out of the back and is all over the bike.

2026-03-24T15:08:44.584Z

Fernandez and Arriola-Bengoa are caught by the peloton.

The leading trio of Slock, Veistroffer and Uriarte have over a minute on Arriola-Bengoa and Fernandez with two and a half minutes to the peloton.

2026-03-24T15:05:05.093Z

Soudal-QuickStep put a rider into the train at the front of the peloton as well. They have Alberto Dainese and Andrea Raccagni Noviero with the latter finishing seventh, yesterday.

2026-03-24T15:02:10.301Z

Fernandez and Arriola-Bengoa are 20 seconds back on the leading trio.

2026-03-24T15:01:20.899Z

Veistroffer and Uriarte are back with Slock.

2026-03-24T15:00:32.569Z

Arriola-Bengoa and Fernandez are dropped.

Liam Slock (Lotto-Intermarche)

He goes clear with teammate, Veistroffer, following Uriarte.

EF Education-EasyPost join the pacing in the peloton as they work for Noah Hobbs, NSN working for Ethan Vernon, Ineos Grenadiers for Dodon and Bahrain Victorious likely working for Matevž Govekar.

2026-03-24T14:50:56.784Z

Besalú looks very nice!

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T14:47:36.980Z

The road starts looking a bit more mountainous from now on with 20km to the third and final intermediate sprint in Olot.

2026-03-24T14:45:29.883Z

Veistroffer has now vaulted Godon in the points classification after that last intermediate sprint by two points. He has 12 points to Godon’s 10.

2026-03-24T14:42:16.969Z

All the intermediate sprints and the KOM sprint have seen the same top three every time.

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts 3″
2. Slock (LOI) 2pts 2″
3. Fernandez (EUS) 1pt 1″

2026-03-24T14:39:08.142Z

The peloton are absolutely hammering the pace but the break are doing a great job of holding them at bay.

3km to the intermediate sprint in Besalú with the break holding a gap of two minutes 54 seconds.

2026-03-24T14:34:59.431Z

A few of the big contenders coming back from nature breaks with Vingegaard, Almeida and Evenepoel all getting back into the pack.

2026-03-24T14:28:33.516Z

10km to the intermediate sprint in Besalú.

The break almost have three minutes for the first time.

2026-03-24T14:20:40.569Z

Over two hours into the day and the average speed is at 43.6kph, they are flying along!

2026-03-24T14:19:54.902Z

The next intermediate sprint is coming in about 15km and will take place in Besalú.

2026-03-24T14:14:32.622Z

A reminder of the day’s breakaway:

Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto-Intermarche)
Liam Slock (Lotto-Intermarche)
Julen Arriola-Bengoa (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)
Diego Uriate (Kern Pharma)
Samuel Fernandez (Euskaltel-Euskadi)

2026-03-24T14:13:29.361Z

Halfway through the stage and the breakaway has extended it’s advantage to two minutes and 35 seconds with NSN, Ineos Grenadiers and Bahrain Victorious leading the peloton.

2026-03-24T14:07:51.747Z

The peloton appear to be letting the gap go a bit with the break getting their largest gap of the day with over 80km in the legs. They now have two minutes and 25 seconds.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

NSN joins Ineos Grenadiers and Bahrain Victorious to replicate the situation from yesterday.

2026-03-24T13:45:31.437Z

Veistroffer still dominating absolutely everything.

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts 3″
2. Slock (LOI) 2pts 2″
3. Fernandez (EUS) 1pt 1″

2026-03-24T13:33:42.023Z

5km to Peralada.

2026-03-24T13:33:08.183Z

The gap dips under two minutes for the first time as the peloton tighten their grip on the stage.

2026-03-24T13:26:02.632Z

10km to the intermediate sprint in Peralada. Thee, two and one points and bonus seconds available.

2026-03-24T13:25:26.064Z

The best placed rider in the breakaway is Arriola-Bengoa at one minute and 35 seconds off Godon.

2026-03-24T13:21:35.161Z

Over an hour of racing done and the average speed it at 41.1kph.

The gap goes down further to just two minutes.

2026-03-24T13:15:38.177Z

The riders now begin a very long but very gradual descent to just before the halfway point on the stage.

2026-03-24T13:12:59.636Z

Bahrain Victorious join Ineos Grenadiers on the front of the peloton for the second day in a row with Lenny Martinez on very good form.

2026-03-24T13:12:05.376Z

The temperature is a very pleasant 21 degrees with no wind and not many clouds at all.

2026-03-24T13:09:54.496Z

20km to the first of three intermediate sprints, the first takes place in Peralada.

Ineos Grenadiers are working very hard for the race leader, Godon. However, they will be keen to keep Oscar Onley well placed as well.

2026-03-24T13:03:55.542Z

Uriarte returns to the break with the gap coming down back to the peloton to two minutes and 10 seconds.

2026-03-24T12:55:22.301Z

Mechanical for Uriarte in the breakaway.

The route is undulating for some time now before a bit of flat for the riders. The break are working well together and are holding their hard earned advantage over the peloton.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T12:51:15.421Z

Ineos Grenadiers are keen to keep the tempo high in the peloton yet again. Godon must be feeling amazing after yesterday and his performances at Paris-Nice.

2026-03-24T12:50:09.516Z

The gap is stuck at two minutes and 15 seconds, it drifted to two minutes and 20 seconds but has dropped down again.

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts
2. Slock (LOI) 2pts
3. Fernandez (EUS) 1pt

Veistroffer extends his lead to seven points over Tyler Stites (Modern Adventure) in the KOM standings.

2026-03-24T12:38:41.495Z

Just 1km to the summit of the Alt del Purgatori for the breakaway.

2026-03-24T12:36:16.153Z

It is another beautiful day for the riders to race in with blue sky and sunshine. Plus, amazing views of the mountains of the Pyrenees. Not that the riders will be able to appreciate them on the bike today.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

For the moment, the peloton seem keen to keep a tight leash on the breakaway with the time gap not budging. Just 4km until the riders crest the climb. Roughly 2km before they start ascending to the summit.

2026-03-24T12:29:16.575Z

The gap seems to have stabilised at two minutes and 15 seconds between the break and the peloton.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T12:23:57.483Z

The first test of the day is the Alt del Purgatori, 1.7km long climb with an average gradient of 5% and a max kick of 15%. They are just 10km from cresting it. It is the only KOM points up for grabs today.

2026-03-24T12:21:56.752Z

The gap quickly grows to over two minutes.

2026-03-24T12:20:47.886Z

Veistroffer dominated the breakaway yesterday by taking all the KOMs and intermediate sprints as well as the green number as most combative rider, despite not being the last one caught. He rides in the white and red mountains jersey today.

Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto-Intermarche)
Liam Slock (Lotto-Intermarche)
Julen Arriola-Bengoa (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)
Diego Uriate (Kern Pharma)
Samuel Fernandez (Euskaltel-Euskadi)

They already have over a minute on the peloton.

2026-03-24T12:14:36.137Z

The start was slightly delayed due to a couple of issues for Ben O’Connor (Jayco-AlUla) and an Ineos Grenadiers rider. Fortunately, all are back riding and racing is underway.

2026-03-24T12:12:34.296Z

We’re underway

The riders have reached kilometre-zero and the stage is waved underway

2026-03-24T12:10:55.076Z

Today’s stage features 2108 metres of elevation gain.

2026-03-24T12:05:17.972Z

The neutral is longer than yesterday’s with 6.8km of steady riding before racing begins.

2026-03-24T11:58:47.608Z

The riders are due to start at 13:10 local time.

2026-03-24T11:58:15.438Z

The riders have started the neutralised zone for today’s stage.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T11:56:57.895Z

Jerseys:

GC – Dorian Godon (IGD)
Point – Dorian Godon (IGD)*
KOM – Baptiste Veistroffer (LOI)
Youth – Simone Gualdi (LOI)

*Worn by – Remco Evenepoel (RBH)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T11:52:30.974Z

Journalists on the ground are very keen to speak to the top two from yesterday. Will Godon and Evenepoel swap jerseys after today’s stage?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T11:46:49.026Z

Sign on is well underway with the race leader, Godon, taking in the limelight.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-24T10:25:13.938Z

Of course, you will also likely want to watch the racing, here is our how to watch for this year’s Volta a Catalunya…