Remco Evenepoel faces three uphill finishes in 2026 Volta a Catalunya

The Volta Ciclista a Catalunya has unveiled its provisional route for the 2026 edition. Notably, it features a demanding course with three uphill finishes. The race is scheduled between March 23 and 29, 2026, and is the first major target of the year for many climbers, including Remco Evenepoel, Florian Lipowitz, and Joao Almeida. Exact elevation profiles have yet to be released, but the start and finish locations are confirmed.

The race begins for the fourth consecutive year in Sant Feliu de Guixols and includes plenty of familiar landmarks from previous editions. Stage one still favors the stronger sprinters and puncheurs, as does likely stage two. The stage runs between Figueres and Banyoles in the opposite direction from this year. In the third stage to Vila-seca, riders will already have to conquer several mountain passes in the Tarragona region.

Between Mataro and Vallter 2000 lies a stage well-known as a staple in the Tour of Catalonia; the last time it was raced, Tadej Pogacar claimed victory in the rain on that climb. The following day features La Molina/Coll de Pal, one of the toughest mountain passes in Catalonia and a location the Volta hasn’t visited in 45 years. The last finish there was in 1979, when Catalan Ricardo Zuñiga was first across the line.

The first half of the final weekend takes place in Bergueda, with the imposing Gueralt climb serving as the race’s climax. This stage was canceled this year due to bad weather conditions. Instead, riders raced a half-hour on the flat, with Quinn Simmons taking the win. The race concludes with the traditional hilly circuit over Montjuïc in Barcelona.