Yesterday's sprint in Sant Feliu de Guixols, won by Matthew Brennan, opened the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, one of the most anticipated and important races this year. seven stages for a total of 1.182 kilometers and 19.122 meters of altitude difference. And this time it's even more anticipated for those who aspire to Tour of Italy since they challenge each other Primois Roglic e Juan Ayuso, probably the two main contenders for the pink jersey.
To better understand the intricacies of this race, which is so particular, according to many the most difficult together with the Basque Country and the Dauphiné due to the intensity with which it is faced, we turned to Domenico Pozzovivo. The expert from Basilicata, in addition to having some experience (also) in this race, was the last Italian to stand on the podium: third in 2015 and winner of a stage (in the opening photo). Strategies, routes, climbs, the Ayuso-Roglic duel, let's hear from the national Pozzo!
Domenico, here's Catalunya: what kind of race is it? Considering the Paris-Nice, the Tirreno-Adriatico, or the Basque Country, how does it stack up?
Overall, in terms of the starting list and the characteristics of the riders fielded by the teams, it's one of the races with the least weight at the start. And by weight, I mean the average weight of the riders. Taking the average weight of the starting riders, Catalunya and the Basque Country are at their lowest of the year. There are many teams that go without a sprinter, even. Usually teams have two sprinters and a rouleur to cover the sprints, but in Catalunya it often happens that they have zero sprinters and maybe not even a rouleur or at least people over 80 kilos.
Indeed, yesterday too, despite a fast course, there was an unusual sprint with 23 athletes in the first group. A mixed group of sprinters and general classification riders...
This year there are a couple of opportunities for pure sprinters, though the startlist remained very poor in sprinters, apart from Dainese, Groves and a few others. This makes the race less predictable, even on the easier stages. Without a single block or three or four teams trying to keep the race closed, everything becomes more unpredictable, even on a stage like yesterday's, which was also quite bumpy in the finale.
What kind of routes are there in that region of Spain? And specifically, what are the climbs like in Catalunya?
I really liked them because the roads are in perfect condition. Potholes are rare in Catalonia. You often cycle on state roads or wide roads, even the uphill finishes are not on narrow mountain roads. They're long climbs, with gradients that aren't impossible. For example, the finish line at La Molina is quite high up, and just before that you reach almost 2.000 meters (Coll de la Creueta, ed.), and the cold can be a factor.
The arrival at Montserrat, the fourth stage, is also interesting…
The climb is very constant, around 7 percent, about 7 kilometers longThe last kilometer and a half is easier: perfect for Roglic. The scenery is spectacular, with the monastery nestled in the rock. These finishes make all the difference. A difference in modern cycling, where the gaps are always small.
Clear…
Then comes the climb to La Queralt, which comes at the end of what I consider the queen stage, the sixth, despite the fact that La Molina is longer and has more elevation gain. Here, the climbs are one after the other. The Queralt climb is approximately 8,5-9 kilometers long with an average gradient of 7,5 percent. It's not extreme, but it's challenging, especially in the context of a stage that, as I said, has a succession of climbs.
And what about the final circuit, with Montjuïc? Can you make a selection?
He can make a selection if he's caught hard from the first of his six passes. He might even shake things up a bit in the overall standings, but he needs to be tackled head-on with the team, because then down the stretch, we'll have to pull ourselves together somehow if someone up front isn't pulling. Everyone thinks of Montjuïc, but the hardest part is the descent. You go around the stadium and then there's a right turn. From there, it's a tough, truly leg-breaking climb.Whoever made Catalunya surely remembers it!
Domenico, these are the first real long climbs of the season. How are they different from the shorter ones? Do they provide important data for preparation?
Yes, at the end of this race you'll probably walk away with some season bests for the longest minutes. In training, it's difficult to push yourself beyond 30-40 minutes of intense effort. Here, however, you'll face climbs that require half an hour or more of continuous effort. This allows you to understand any deficiencies you have in certain ranges of duration and intensity, giving you useful indications for subsequent work.
Let's get to the field. There's Quintana, Carapaz, Mas, Thomas... all excellent, but the two stars, especially considering the Giro, are Ayuso and Roglic. How will they approach this race? Will they already be competing head-to-head or will they be studying each other?
Given their character and their way of running, Roglic will probably study his opponent and try to get the maximum result with the minimum effort, perhaps with an attack at the finish or in the sprint. Ayuso, on the other hand, I see as more enterprising, more inclined to mark his territory and demonstrate that he will be highly competitive at the Giro. I think he will seek attacks from further away.
Given the climbs and the lack of sprinters, who do you think is more suitable for between the two?
I see him calibrated on Roglic. There are two perfect arrivals for him: Molina and Montserrat. La Molina is a fairly steady climb, with a short descent and then the final kilometer that gets tough again. When Roglic is in good form, he can make the difference on these types of finishes because he knows how to rev up when he's feeling overwhelmed. Montserrat, with its steady gradients and easier finish, is also perfect for Primoz's characteristics.
Do you see any other protagonists besides the two of them?
carapaz It's been a bit disappointing so far, but it might have picked up speed. Coming from South America, the altitude often takes time to get back into the swing of things. Then there's Landa, consistency personified and will surely be in the top five and that's no small thing. But I'm curious to see Giulio Pellizzari.
Why?
He's an interesting guy. I raced with him and I know he has great numbers; he'll obviously ride in support of Roglic. Giulio needs to be patient, manage his role, and... move up the hierarchy over time. Ultimately, when you have talent, you find space even if you're in a squad like the Red Bull-Bora.
