Volta a Catalunya 2026: Godon sprints to first leader’s jersey

fotobureau Cor VosOn the opening day of the Tour of Catalonia, the pace in the final stages is so high that a significantly reduced peloton contests the win in Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Dorian Godon proves fastest, just outsprinting Remco Evenepoel to take the first leader’s jersey in La Volta, while Tom Pidcock finishes third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 1 Results – 2026 Volta a Catalunya

1. Dorian Godon (fra) 4:01:09
2. Remco Evenepoel (bel) s.t.
3. Tom Pidcock (gbr) s.t.
4. Guillermo Thomas Silva (uru) s.t.
5. Simone Gualdi (ita) s.t.
6. Lenny Martinez (fra) s.t.
7. Andrea Raccagni Noviero (fra) s.t.
8. Henri Uhlig (ger) s.t.
9. Oscar Onley (gbr) s.t.
10. Antoine L'Hoite (fra) s.t.

GC after stage 1

1. Dorian Godon (fra)
2. Remco Evenepoel (bel) + 0:04
3. Tom Pidcock (gbr) + 0:06
4. Guillermo Thomas Silva (uru) + 0:10
5. Simone Gualdi (ita) s.t.
6. Lenny Martinez (fra) s.t.
7. Andrea Raccagni Noviero (fra) s.t.
8. Henri Uhlig (ger) s.t.
9. Oscar Onley (gbr) s.t.
10. Antoine L'Hoite (fra) z.t

Race report

Baptiste Veistroffer and Unai Aznar quickly break away. Veistroffer is so eager that he drops his companion, who then ends up in a chasing group with his brother Hugo, along with Josh Burnett and Tyler Stites. Later, the five escapees regroup. The peloton is happy to let them go and they open up a 4-minute gap.

In Sant Hilari Sacalm, atop the longest climb of the day, the gap is halved, and with 11.3 kilometres remaining, Burnett becomes the final attacker to be reeled in.

On the 5% uphill to the line, Tom Pidcock launches his sprint with 350 metres to go. Remco Evenepoel comes flying past him with Dorian Godon on his wheel. The two go head-to-head, with the French champion taking the win by a narrow margin. As a bonus, he also puts on the first leader’s jersey.

Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2026 Volta a Catalunya.