Volta a Catalunya 2018 Stage 6: Schachmann bests Rubio in two-up sprint, Valverde still leader

The 6th stage of the Volta a Catalunya is a shortened race. At 117 kilometres, the route features one intermediate climb and the last 42 kilometres are on the flat. Maxilian Schachmann and Diego Rubio bring the early break home before the German outsprints the Spaniard on the line. Alejandro Valverde retains leader. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 6th stage 2018 Volta a Catalunya

1. Maximilian Schachmann (ger)
2. Diego Rubio (spa) s.t.
3. Sam Bennett (irl) + 0.18
4. Matej Mohoric (slo) s.t.
5. Roberto Ferrari (ita) s.t.
6. Enrique Sanz (spa) s.t.
7. Egan Bernal (col) s.t.
8. Danilo Wyss (swi) s.t.
9. José Joaquin Rójas (spa) s.t.
10. Benoit Jarrier (fra) s.t.

GC after the 6th stage
1. Alejandro Valverde (spa)
2. Egan Bernal (col) + 0.16
3. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.26
4. Pierre Latour (fra) + 0.48
5. Simon Yates (gbr) + 1.12
6. Marc Soler (spa) + 1.18
7. George Bennett (nzl) s.t.
8. Hugh Carthy (gbr) + 1.24
9. Daniel Felipe Martinez (spa) + 1.28
10. Jesper Hansen (den) s.t.

Race report
In rainy conditions Maxilian Schachmann and Diego Rubio jump clear. They reach the crest of the Port d’Ager 3 minutes ahead of the peloton.

Echelons split the peloton with 30 kms remaining, but no big names are trapped. Meanwhile the gap of the leaders goes down slowly but steadily. Yet, it keeps hovering around half a minute in the last 8 kilometres.

Schachmann and Diego Rubio enter the last km with a 20 seconds lead. It’s enough. Rubio opens up the sprint only to realize the 24-year old German is faster. Schachmann pockets his first pro-victory, leaving his Spanish partner empty handed. Sam Bennett wins the group sprint.

Going into the hilly circuit-race in Barcelona, Valverde leads runner-up Egan Bernal by 16 seconds.