Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi) surprised the peloton — including Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team — as they expected a field sprint at the 169.4km Volta a Catalunya Stage 6, from San Fruitos de Bages to Badalona, on Saturday. Sanchez took a flyer with just 2km to go and stayed away for the solo victory.
Allan Davis (GreenEDGE) was 2nd, and Julien Simon (Saur-Sojasun) was 3rd. Sanchez gained two seconds on the peloton, meaning he moved into 2nd place in the general classification. Dario Cataldo was the top finisher for Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team, in 12th place (+2"). He is also the teams top GC contender, and sits in 9th place (+1'32") going into the final stage on Sunday.
Riders attempted to escape throughout the race, but only a few could gain more than 20 seconds on the peloton. Three riders stayed away from kilometer 56 until about 50km remained.