{"id":491030,"date":"2026-03-23T14:40:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T14:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/491030\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T14:40:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T14:40:25","slug":"volta-a-catalunya-stage-1-live-breakaway-advantage-shrinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/491030\/","title":{"rendered":"Volta a Catalunya stage 1 LIVE: Breakaway advantage shrinking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:37:28.774Z<\/p>\n

1101 metres of elevation gain has already been tackled today with 797 metres still to go.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:35:35.972Z<\/p>\n

The break are still pushing hard but it is to no avail with the gap at one minute and four seconds.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Volta\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:31:03.255Z
\n70km to go<\/p>\n

The gap continues to drop with one minute and six seconds up to the break.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:29:10.326Z<\/p>\n

Ineos Grenadiers, NSN and Bahrain Victorious have brought the gap down to one minute and nine seconds!<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:27:56.838Z<\/p>\n

It appears there may not be another intermediate sprint.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:26:59.607Z
\nIntermediate sprint (Arb\u00facies)<\/p>\n

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts 3″
2. Burnett (BBH) 2pts 2″
3. Aznar (EKP) 1pt 1″<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:24:04.657Z<\/p>\n

They’re finished the main part of the descent but still have some steady downhill for a while yet.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:22:34.620Z<\/p>\n

Half way through the stage with the average speed at 40.3kph. This is a rapid stage considering the parcours ridden already today.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:14:30.127Z<\/p>\n

The gap drops below two minutes with the peloton now one minutes and 40 seconds behind the break with just over 90km to go.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:13:45.166Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer just needs the finish the stage and he will wear the KOM jersey on the podium and in tomorrow’s stage.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:13:12.183Z
\nKOM (Alt de Sant Hilari Sacalm)<\/p>\n

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 10pts
2. Stites (MAP) 8pts
3. Aznar (EUS) 6pts
4. Aznar (EKP) 4pts
5. Burnett (BBH) 2pts
6. Svestad-B\u00e5rdseng (IGD) 1pt<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T14:07:03.836Z<\/p>\n

1km from the summit of the Alt de Sant Hilari Sacalm.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:58:22.348Z
\n100km to go<\/p>\n

5km from the top of the Alt de Sant Hilari Sacalm with 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 points available in the KOM competition.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:56:14.475Z<\/p>\n

The peloton brings the gap down again to about two minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:49:09.096Z<\/p>\n

The gap finally has gone up slightly again for the first time in quite some time. The break now have two minutes and 20 seconds on the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:48:19.674Z<\/p>\n

Pidcock thinks it would’ve been a “bit of a fluke” had he won Milan-San Remo on the weekend, but the Yorkshireman now turns his focus to GC riding against more of the world’s best…<\/p>\n

>>> Tom Pidcock suggests Milan-San Remo victory would have been ‘a bit of a fluke’ as he makes quick switch to GC mode for Volta a Catalunya<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Slovenian\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:38:29.547Z<\/p>\n

Just two minutes and five seconds split the peloton and the break as they start the climb.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:33:44.849Z<\/p>\n

The riders are about to start the Alt de Sant Hilari Sacalm.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:33:11.472Z<\/p>\n

The peloton is being led by Ineos Grenadiers and NSN. Likely for Dorian Godon and Ethan Vernon but both have other choices such as main GC man Oscar Onley as well as young talent Brady Gilmore.<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:31:16.144Z<\/p>\n

Gap is still going down to two minutes and 10 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:26:33.591Z<\/p>\n

The Alt de Sant Hilari Sacalm is a largely steady climb with the average gradient at 3% but there are steep points with the max kick at 8%.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:21:59.900Z<\/p>\n

The riders are on the foothills of the climb and the gap has dropped further to two minutes and 15 seconds. Not looking too good for the break.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:11:13.130Z<\/p>\n

The break are roughly 15km from the start of the second and final categorised climb of the day, the cat 1 Alt de Sant Hilari.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:06:38.788Z
\n130km to go<\/p>\n

The gap continues to come down, two minutes and 50 seconds now splits the peloton and the five-man breakaway.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:03:12.966Z<\/p>\n

Just under an hour of racing and the average speed is at 40.5kph.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T13:02:17.461Z
\nIntermediate sprint (Salt)<\/p>\n

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts 3″
2. Aznar (EKP) 2pts 2″
3. Stites (MAP) 1pt 1″<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:48:29.188Z<\/p>\n

The gap has now come down to three minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:47:41.298Z<\/p>\n

There are three, two and one points and bonus seconds available at each of the three intermediate sprints today.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:45:48.121Z<\/p>\n

7km from the intermediate sprint in Salt.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:44:31.929Z<\/p>\n

The gap continues to drop with another five seconds shaved off the time.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:43:10.630Z<\/p>\n

The peloton are now taking control of things and have already brought the gap back down to three minutes and 25 seconds.<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:40:44.585Z<\/p>\n

The peloton hasn’t really settled into a controlling pattern just yet with various teams working out who is the favourite for today and the week as a whole…<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:37:14.187Z<\/p>\n

The gap has inched out to four minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:36:54.639Z<\/p>\n

Burnett has already had one very good week long stage race in Spain this year where he took the mountains jersey at the Vuelta a Andalucia. He also finished second in the New Zealand national road race.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:31:33.837Z<\/p>\n

About 18km to the first of three intermediate sprints. The first one comes in the town of Salt.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:29:57.615Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer finally backs into the chasing group and we now have five riders together at three minutes and 50 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:29:12.853Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer has had quite the start to the year with a stage win and a spell in the leader’s jersey at the Tour of Oman as well as a heroic week at the Tour Down Under where he showed off his breakaway skills.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:28:06.101Z<\/p>\n

The gap between Veistroffer and the peloton is now almost four minutes. The Frenchman has over 20 seconds on the chasers, still.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:27:36.801Z
\nKOM (Alt de Romany\u00e0)<\/p>\n

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts
2. Burnett (BBH) 2pts
3. Stites (MAP) 1pt<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:22:09.253Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer crossed the top of the Alt de Romany\u00e0 first and takes the three points.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:18:16.013Z<\/p>\n

The peloton are now over two minutes down on the leader.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:17:53.690Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer has now dropped everyone and is pushing on solo with a group of four chasing at about 20″ as they are about to crest the first climb of the day already, the Alt de Romany\u00e0. with Unai back in a group with his brother, Hugo…<\/p>\n

\n

\"Josh\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:16:08.862Z<\/p>\n

The break splits with U. Aznar and Vestroffer being chased by Stites as well as Josh Burnett (Burgos-Burpellet-BH) and Hugo Aznar (Kern Pharma) who are just 15″ behind the leaders.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:13:31.787Z<\/p>\n

Tyler Stites (Modern Adventure) has joined the lead group.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:13:07.004Z<\/p>\n

The start was actually delayed to several riders having various issues. But now the riders are racing with several attacks trying to follow Veistroffer and Aznar.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:11:38.552Z
\nAttack!<\/p>\n

Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto-Intermarche)
Unai Aznar (Euskaltel-Euskadi)<\/p>\n

\n

\"Baptiste\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T12:01:46.791Z
\n172.8km to go<\/p>\n

161 riders start the Volta a Catalunya 2026 stage 1 in Sant Feliu de Gu\u00edxols.The riders immediately plunge down a -5% descent before heading onto the climb.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T11:58:03.027Z<\/p>\n

The neutral zone is 5.5km long today.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T11:57:07.437Z<\/p>\n

The neutral start has happened and the riders have about 10 minutes to get settled in before racing begins and they start climbing almost immediately with the category three Alt de Romany\u00e0, 4.4km long with an average gradient of 3.8% and a max kicker of 8%. That starts a mere 3km into the race!<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T11:43:38.714Z<\/p>\n

The stage, as seen from last year, can suit the fast men. However, riders such as Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) have also succeeded on this stage, it is very open. It could be someone like Dorian Godon (Ineos Grenadiers) or a GC man with a good kick like Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). Only time will tell!<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T11:40:55.830Z<\/p>\n

The opening stage has the same finishing kilometres as the opening day last year that was won by emerging superstar, Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike). This year, the organisers have plonked a whacking great category one climb in the middle of the day, the Al de Sant Hilari Sacalm, which is 14.6km long with an average gradient of 3% but max kicks of 8%.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Profiles\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Volta a Catalunya)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T11:34:50.876Z<\/p>\n

Sign on, team presentations and interviews are well underway in Sant Feliu de Gu\u00edxols…<\/p>\n

\n

\"Volta\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T11:31:36.792Z<\/p>\n

The neutral start comes at 12:50 local time with the flag set to be waved to start racing 10 minutes after that.<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T11:29:18.623Z<\/p>\n

Pidcock was oh so close to taking Milan-San Remo on Saturday and missed out by just half a wheel thanks to being caught on the wrong side of Tadej Poga\u010dar’s wheel as the sprint started, but can he make amends in the mountains of Catalonia?<\/p>\n

>>> ‘I can’t help but be disappointed’ – Tom Pidcock knows he was close to beating Tadej Poga\u010dar at Milan-San Remo but missed an opportunity<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"SANREMO,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T11:27:27.546Z<\/p>\n

After escaping the snowed in island of Tenerife, Evenepoel wants to taste victory again…<\/p>\n

>>> ‘It’s time to win one again’ \u2013 Remco Evenepoel escapes the Mount Teide snow to chase first WorldTour stage race win in three years at Volta a Catalunya<\/p>\n

\n

\"Red\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T11:26:29.735Z<\/p>\n

Vingegaard comes into the raise on a high after absolutely decimating the field in a brutal Paris-Nice on his way to his Giro d’Italia debut…<\/p>\n

>>> ‘A tough race full of challenges’ \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard in high spirits as Volta a Catalunya marks another key stop on the road to the Giro d’Italia<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Team\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-23T11:25:14.076Z<\/p>\n

The race is peppered with superstars this year with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Jo\u00e3o Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5), Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Oscar Onley (Ineos Grenadiers), Giulio Ciccone, Derek Gee-West, Mattias Skjelmose (all Lidl-Trek), Mikel Landa (Soudal-QuickStep), Felix Gall, Matt Riccitello (both Decathlon-CMA CGM), Richard Crapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), Lenny Martinez, Santiago Buitrago (both Bahrain Victorious), and many more besides all racing.<\/p>\n

>>> Crunch time in the Pyrenees for Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Tom Pidcock \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the 2026 Volta a Catalunya<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"2023\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-20T15:07:14.529Z<\/p>\n

Hola! Welcome to the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya 2026, live on Cyclingnews!<\/p>\n

Please follow our community guidelines<\/a>.” data-join-the-conversation-text=”Join the Conversation”><\/p>\n

You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n

Logout<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Refresh 2026-03-23T14:37:28.774Z 1101 metres of elevation gain has already been tackled today with 797 metres still to go.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":491031,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-491030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-cycling","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/491030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=491030"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/491030\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/491031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=491030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=491030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=491030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}