{"id":492817,"date":"2026-03-24T15:35:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/492817\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T15:35:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:35:19","slug":"volta-a-catalunya-stage-2-live-three-riders-push-on-from-the-original-five-man-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/492817\/","title":{"rendered":"Volta a Catalunya stage 2 LIVE: Three riders push on from the original five man break"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:30:31.706Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:29:32.766Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer comes back on the descent and they are really pushing hard.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:25:27.863Z<\/p>\n

Abandon from Riley Pickrell (MAP).<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:23:19.252Z
\n30km to go<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:22:22.341Z<\/p>\n

Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost) and Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek) right at the back of the peloton, at the moment.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:21:25.105Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:18:14.600Z<\/p>\n

However, if Godon wins or finishes second today he will go back into the lead.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:17:32.363Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:16:52.378Z
\nIntermediate sprint (Olot)<\/p>\n

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts 3″
2. Slock (LOI) 2pts 2″
3. Uriarte (EKP) 1pt 1″<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:14:43.192Z<\/p>\n

The leading trio has two minutes on the peloton with 1km to the final intermediate sprint of the day in Olot.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:14:09.167Z<\/p>\n

Three hours in and the average speed in 43.9kph. This is a rapid day!<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:11:29.738Z<\/p>\n

The gap drops back down to two minutes and 10 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:09:56.260Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:08:44.584Z<\/p>\n

Fernandez and Arriola-Bengoa are caught by the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:06:11.865Z
\n40km to go<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:05:05.093Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:02:10.301Z<\/p>\n

Fernandez and Arriola-Bengoa are 20 seconds back on the leading trio.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:01:20.899Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer and Uriarte are back with Slock.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:00:32.569Z<\/p>\n

Arriola-Bengoa and Fernandez are dropped.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T15:00:15.255Z
\nAttack!<\/p>\n

Liam Slock (Lotto-Intermarche)<\/p>\n

He goes clear with teammate, Veistroffer, following Uriarte.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:52:16.658Z
\n50km to go<\/p>\n

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 Matev\u017e Govekar.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:50:56.784Z<\/p>\n

Besal\u00fa looks very nice!<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-24T14:47:36.980Z<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-24T14:45:29.883Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:42:16.969Z<\/p>\n

All the intermediate sprints and the KOM sprint have seen the same top three every time.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:41:53.233Z
\nIntermediate sprint (Besal\u00fa)<\/p>\n

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts 3″
2. Slock (LOI) 2pts 2″
3. Fernandez (EUS) 1pt 1″<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:39:08.142Z<\/p>\n

The peloton are absolutely hammering the pace but the break are doing a great job of holding them at bay.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:38:14.533Z
\n60km to go<\/p>\n

3km to the intermediate sprint in Besal\u00fa with the break holding a gap of two minutes 54 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:34:59.431Z<\/p>\n

A few of the big contenders coming back from nature breaks with Vingegaard, Almeida and Evenepoel all getting back into the pack.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:28:33.516Z<\/p>\n

10km to the intermediate sprint in Besal\u00fa.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:27:55.669Z
\n70km to go<\/p>\n

The break almost have three minutes for the first time.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:20:40.569Z<\/p>\n

Over two hours into the day and the average speed is at 43.6kph, they are flying along!<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:19:54.902Z<\/p>\n

The next intermediate sprint is coming in about 15km and will take place in Besal\u00fa.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:14:32.622Z<\/p>\n

A reminder of the day’s breakaway:<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-24T14:13:29.361Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T14:07:51.747Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-24T13:52:59.392Z
\n100km to go<\/p>\n

NSN joins Ineos Grenadiers and Bahrain Victorious to replicate the situation from yesterday.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:45:31.437Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer still dominating absolutely everything.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:43:17.287Z
\nIntermediate sprint (Peralada)<\/p>\n

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts 3″
2. Slock (LOI) 2pts 2″
3. Fernandez (EUS) 1pt 1″<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:33:42.023Z<\/p>\n

5km to Peralada.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:33:08.183Z<\/p>\n

The gap dips under two minutes for the first time as the peloton tighten their grip on the stage.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:26:02.632Z<\/p>\n

10km to the intermediate sprint in Peralada. Thee, two and one points and bonus seconds available.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:25:26.064Z<\/p>\n

The best placed rider in the breakaway is Arriola-Bengoa at one minute and 35 seconds off Godon.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:21:35.161Z<\/p>\n

Over an hour of racing done and the average speed it at 41.1kph.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:17:34.354Z
\n120km to go<\/p>\n

The gap goes down further to just two minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:15:38.177Z<\/p>\n

The riders now begin a very long but very gradual descent to just before the halfway point on the stage.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:12:59.636Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:12:05.376Z<\/p>\n

The temperature is a very pleasant 21 degrees with no wind and not many clouds at all.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:09:54.496Z<\/p>\n

20km to the first of three intermediate sprints, the first takes place in Peralada.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T13:04:53.639Z
\n130km to go<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-24T13:03:55.542Z<\/p>\n

Uriarte returns to the break with the gap coming down back to the peloton to two minutes and 10 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:55:22.301Z<\/p>\n

Mechanical for Uriarte in the breakaway.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:54:35.706Z
\n140km to go<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-24T12:51:15.421Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:50:09.516Z<\/p>\n

The gap is stuck at two minutes and 15 seconds, it drifted to two minutes and 20 seconds but has dropped down again.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:43:04.393Z
\nKOM (Alt del Purgatori)<\/p>\n

1. Veistroffer (LOI) 3pts
2. Slock (LOI) 2pts
3. Fernandez (EUS) 1pt<\/p>\n

Veistroffer extends his lead to seven points over Tyler Stites (Modern Adventure) in the KOM standings.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:38:41.495Z<\/p>\n

Just 1km to the summit of the Alt del Purgatori for the breakaway.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:36:16.153Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-24T12:33:46.995Z
\n150km to go<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:29:16.575Z<\/p>\n

The gap seems to have stabilised at two minutes and 15 seconds between the break and the peloton.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Breakaway\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-24T12:23:57.483Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:21:56.752Z<\/p>\n

The gap quickly grows to over two minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:20:47.886Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:19:34.334Z
\nAttack!<\/p>\n

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

They already have over a minute on the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:14:36.137Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:12:34.296Z<\/p>\n

We’re underway<\/p>\n

The riders have reached kilometre-zero and the stage is waved underway<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:10:55.076Z<\/p>\n

Today’s stage features 2108 metres of elevation gain.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T12:05:17.972Z<\/p>\n

The neutral is longer than yesterday’s with 6.8km of steady riding before racing begins.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T11:58:47.608Z<\/p>\n

The riders are due to start at 13:10 local time.<\/p>\n

2026-03-24T11:58:15.438Z<\/p>\n

The riders have started the neutralised zone for today’s stage.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-24T11:56:57.895Z<\/p>\n

Jerseys:<\/p>\n

GC – Dorian Godon (IGD)
Point – Dorian Godon (IGD)*
KOM – Baptiste Veistroffer (LOI)
Youth – Simone Gualdi (LOI)<\/p>\n

*Worn by – Remco Evenepoel (RBH)<\/p>\n

\n

\"Dorian\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-24T11:52:30.974Z<\/p>\n

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?<\/p>\n

\n

\"Dorian\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-24T11:46:49.026Z<\/p>\n

Sign on is well underway with the race leader, Godon, taking in the limelight.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Race\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-24T10:25:13.938Z<\/p>\n

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

>>> How to watch Volta a Catalunya 2026 \u2013 Live streams, TV coverage<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Jonas\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-24T10:24:18.497Z<\/p>\n

Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) had a superb start to his race for the GC title here in Catalonia with a very strong third place, even after having to launch his sprint very early. He is feeling the distance of Milan-San Remo, but is looking forward to the week ahead…<\/p>\n

>>> ‘My legs felt heavy at the start of the race today’ \u2013 Tom Pidcock comes through Milan-San Remo fatigue to claim third place on opening stage of Volta a Catalunya<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"2026\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-24T10:22:21.950Z<\/p>\n

Stage 2 is a similar day, only the big climb comes much later in the day. It isn’t categorised, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard. A 167.4km day from Figueres to Banyoles with 2108 metres of elevation gain. It is a difficult stage to call.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-03-24T10:19:28.080Z<\/p>\n

Stage 1 was a rapid day in the saddle with only the strongest riders able to compete at the finish with French champion, Dorian Godon (Ineos Grenadiers), managing to hold off Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) to take the stage with Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) rounding off the podium.<\/p>\n

>>> Volta a Catalunya: Dorian Godon denies Remco Evenepoel in punchy finish on stage 1<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"SANT\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-03-24T10:17:21.772Z<\/p>\n

Hola and welcome to Cyclingnews’ live report of stage 2 at the Volta a Catalunya 2026<\/p>\n

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

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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 2026-03-24T15:30:31.706Z Just one minute and 20 seconds between the trio out front and the peloton which has…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":492818,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-492817","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\/492817","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=492817"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492817\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/492818"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=492817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=492817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=492817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}