Volta a Catalunya 2023 Route stage 3: Olost - La Molina

La Molina has been a staple finish in the period 2014-2019 – with Miguel Ángel López (2019), Alejandro Valverde (2018, 2017), Dan Martin (2016), Tejay van Garderen (2015) and Joaquim Rodríguez (2014) takings the spoils -, and it returned last year. Which inspired Ben O’Connor to attack early on the climb and solo to triumph. The Australian crossed the line 6 seconds before the GC group, where Juan Ayuso and Nairo Quintana s;printed to second and third place.

The ascent to La Molina is not the hardest climb in the world. On the contrary. The first part is 9 kilometres long and averages 6%. Following a passage in La Molina the route continues with a short drop before the last 2 kilometres go up at 4%. From base to finish the climb totals 12.1 kilometres and averages 4.3%.

The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while intermediate sprints come with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.