Rarely has a cycling phase raised so many expectations. When the Cycling Tour in Catalonia shown the route of 103rd edition The design of the sixth stage attracted admiration and both professional and amateur cyclists began counting the hours until the big day arrived, and it has already arrived. The Return to Catalonia Today faces a day that has all the necessary ingredients to mark the pre- and post-race, with the added incentive of being penultimate while awaiting tomorrow’s outcome on the magical mountain of Montjuic.
The numbers it shows are staggering. It consists of more than 4,000 meters of elevation gain in just 154 kilometers, with up to five mountain passes in one of those stages that don’t know the word rest. The demands of the day will go from less to more. After leaving Berga -more than 60 years have passed since Return to Catalonia has not set foot in the capital of Berguedà, in less than 15 kilometers the climb to Coll de la Batallola (3rd)before dealing with Cal Ros Collet (2nd) and headed to La Pobla de Lillet and approaching the Jurassic town of Vallcebre before tackling the long-awaited climb: Coll de Pradell.
It can be enjoyed on television
A few days ago, there was a popular outcry when it was confirmed that viewers would not be able to watch the climb to Coll de Pradell because when they connect the televisions the runners have passed this point. Fortunately, the race organization corrected and advanced the connection by half an hour, 2:30 pm It would have been a big mistake because it was worth tasting the torture that awaits the cyclists. It has only one handicap, it is far from the finish line, but it is perfect territory for Pogacar launch one of your trademark attacks and sue Volta, if you haven’t already. There are 14.6 kilometers of climbing, with an average slope of 6.85% and ramps of up to 24%. Real walls on a rough asphalt that, as I said yesterday at the crime scene, the MD journalist Xavi Díez“it is mortal of necessity, to put one foot on the ground and walk up.”
The platoon will shatter into a thousand pieces on these impossible ramps, before heading off Saleat the foot of colossus of Pedraforcaand a few moments later faced the ascent to Colada de Sant Isidre (1st, at an average of 8.6% and a maximum of 15%), before descending at full speed towards the final climb to Sanctuary of Queralt, On whose climb a large crowd is expected, because Saturday and this point is about 45 minutes from Barcelona, the year Penya Cyclist Sepp Kusswho will definitely try to be the hero today.
The arrival at Santuari de Queralt is unprecedented in Volta 1ª, 6 km at 5.6% edia and a maximum ramp of 13%), although it has previously been the star of five arrivals of Catalan Cycling Week -a race held between 1963 and 2055- where the great names in the history of the cycling world such as Eddy Merckx, Freddy Maertens or Cladiuo Chiappuci. Now, whoever shines most strongly in this dramatic phase will write their name in this elite club and in the golden books of the Catalan round.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
