Volta Ciclista a Catalunya

The stunning Montserrat ascent made its return as a stage finish at the Volta a Catalunya for the first time since 1995, when the race was organised in June, just a couple of weeks before the start of the Tour de France. One of the hardest climbs of this year’s edition, and one of the region’s most famous ascents, averaging 6.6% over 8.8 kilometers, Montserrat began with Soudal Quick-Step at the front of the peloton, as James Knox and Gianmarco Garofoli combined to push a steady tempo on the opening part.

The fight between the GC favourites was sparked by an attack of the overall leader of the race with more than two kilometers to go, a move to which Mikel Landa responded immediately. Despite being caught and distanced by Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe), who went on to win the stage from a two-man group, Landa booked a place in a small but strong chasing group and fought hard to limit the losses, which in the end were of just three seconds.

Two accelerations of the Basque in the final kilometer saw him take a solid top five at the summit, a result which puts him fourth on the standings, just one second from the podium. His teammate Junior Lecerf – who sported the best young rider jersey Thursday afternoon – is ninth in the general classification thanks to what was another convincing ride, making Soudal Quick-Step the only team with two riders in the top ten after four stages.

Photo credit: ©Szymon Gruchalski / Getty Images