Alto de Montjuïc is an iconic hill overlooking the city. It pepped up numerous finales of the Volta a Catalunya. As the Montjuïc is included eight times the punchy slope wears out the riders. The 2 kilometres climb has an average gradient of 5.7% and steepest ramps of up to 8%. A 1 kilometre drop then takes the riders to a 700 metres slope at 6%. Each lap concludes with a further 2.3 kilometres descent to the line.
The Volta a Catalunya’s final stage opens with an inland loop with only one obstacle, the Coll de la Creu d’Ordal. At kilometre 85, the riders enter the Barcelona circuit.
Last year’s Montjuïc stage was a thrilling ride. Attacks kept flying once the riders entered the city circuit. Simon Yates and Marc Soler were leading the race with one lap left. The Briton propelled away on the last climb up the Montjuïc. He opened up a significant gap and sealed the stage win, while Alejandro Valverde pocketed the overall victory for the second consecutive year. The reigning World Champion won the Montjuïc stage in 2017 and 2015 (outsprinting a select group), while Alexey Tsatevich bested Primoz Roglic in 2016 in a two-up sprint.
The first three riders on the line win time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while two intermediate sprints (at kilometre 66 and at kilometre 93) come with 3, 2 and 1 seconds each.
Another interesting read: results/race report 7th stage 2019 Volta a Catalunya.
Volta a Catalunya 2019 stage 7: route, profiles, more
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