Volta a Catalunya 2023: Sprint triumph Groves, Roglic still leader

foto: Cor VosKaden Groves wins the 6th stage of the Volta a Catalunya in the sprint of a decimated peloton. He outpowers Bryan Coquard and Ide Schelling at the end of an exciting day of racing, while Primoz Roglic stays in the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 6th stage 2023 Volta a Catalunya

1. Kaden Groves (aus)
2. Bryan Coquard (fra) s.t.
3. Ide Schelling (nld) s.t.
4. Maxim Van Gils (bel) s.t.
5. Remco Evenepoel (bel) s.t.
6. Andreas Kron (den) s.t.
7. Dorian Godon (fra) s.t.
8. Patrick Konrad (aut) s.t.
9. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
10. Finn Fisher-Black (aus) s.t.

GC after stage 6
1. Primoz Roglic (slo)
2. Remco Evenepoel (bel) + 0.10
3. João Almeida (por) + 1.07
4. Marc Soler (spa) + 1.54
5. Mikel Landa (spa) + 1.55
6. Michael Woods (can) + 1.59
7. Giulio Ciccone (ita) + 2.02
8. Jai Hindley (aus) + 2.07
9. Cian Uitdebroeks (bel) + 2.28
10. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 2.49

Race report
Attacks are flying from the gun, but still no break after more than 70 kilometres of frantic racing. Roglic grabs the opportunity to gain 3 bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint in Terres de Lledia, while Evenepoel takes 2.

The breakaway finally takes shape when Carlos Verona, Geoffrey Bouchard, Oscar Onley, Fausto Masnada, Jonas Gregaard and Simon Velasco join forces. The six open up a 1 minute gap. That’s all they get.

The attackers are reeled in on the Alt de Creu d’Aragall. Then Marc Soler gives it a go. He reaches the summit 15 seconds before Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic, who attack from the bunch in the last few hundred metres. The two rejoin Soler on descent to leave him behind with 18 kilometres to go.

Evenepoel does all the work and Roglic sits in his wheels. The World Champion is not happy with that. He stops pulling and just before the second intermediate sprint the peloton overhauls them. Then Evenepoel pushes again and he wins the sprint ahead of Roglic.

Although the two throw themselves in the mix, the finish sprint is for the pure specialists. Groves outguns Coquard with a tiny margin to take his second win of the week.

Roglic stays in the overall race lead, still 10 seconds ahead of Evenepoel.

Another interesting read: route 6th stage 2023 Volta a Catalunya.