Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will participate in Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.
The 93rd edition features 26 categorized climbs. The first two stages favor a bunch sprint. Stage 3 is when the course gets challenging as it heads into the high mountains of the Pyrenees. Stage 4 features five categorized climbs. Two are HC — Port del Canto may only average 5%, but it is a distance of 25km.
Stage 5 offers another chance for a bunch sprint, and Stage 6 is a tribute to Catalun cyclist Xavier Tondo. The stage has two climbs: Category 1 Prades (11km, 4%) and Category 2 Lilla (6.1km, 4.8%).
Stage 7 is a shorter stage at 122.2km, and features an eight lap circuit, including the Alt de Montjuic (1.3km, 4.8%).