Volta a Catalunya 2023 Route stage 5: Tortosa - Lo Port

Tortosa is situated at sea level at the mouth of the Ebro river. The Volta a Catalunya was there in 2017 for the start of a race to Reus, where Daryl Impey sprinted to victory.

Fast men have no chance this time as the finale is tailor made for pure bred climbers. Folowing a predominantly flat run-up through the Ebro delta the riders approach the limestone massif of Lo Port. The road to the Mont Caro summit is narrow and brutal. The ascent is 8.4 kilometres long and averages 9%, while it ramps up to 20% at times. The last part is especially draining with some 14% section.

The Volta a Catalunya finished three times before at Mont Caro. Dat leverde overwinningen op voor Alirio Chizabas (1985), ‘Lucho’ Herrera (1991) en Alejandro Valverde (2017).

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.