Bad weather forces Volta a Catalunya organizers to cut summit finish from queen stage
Michael Woods trails leader Valverde by twelve seconds after two stages
Due to predicted high winds and freezing temperatures on the summit finish of Wednesday’s queen stage, the third day of the WorldTour Volta a Catalunya won’t conclude on Vallter 2000. After consulting with team and rider representatives, race organizers not only cut Vallter 2000 but also two Cat. 1 ascents on the way to the summit finish. Nearly 55-kms have been lopped off the stage.
Here’s the changed route:
3️⃣ Així serà finalment la tercera etapa de la #VoltaCatalunya // Así será finalmente la tercera etapa de la Volta // Take a look at Volta stage 3 pic.twitter.com/XBigteD33y
— Volta a Catalunya (@VoltaCatalunya) March 20, 2018
The riders face Cat. 2 Port de Collabos before 13-km of mild grade to the finish in Camprodon, 1100-metres lower than Vallter 2000.
There was some speculation during the running of Tuesday’s Stage 2 that Wednesday’s course would be altered. Was that why reigning champ Alejandro Valverde and 2016 titlist Nairo Quintana nipped bonus seconds in the last intermediate sprint of the day?
Valverde took 2 bonus seconds and Quintana 1 from intermediate sprint. Here's the likely reason. #VoltaCatalunya https://t.co/6tESNfQ6w9
— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) March 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/robhatchtv/status/976133250191159296
Valverde would go on to win the stage and take the race leader’s white and green jersey from Stage 2 winner Álvaro José Hodeg, Quick Step’s up-and-coming Colombian sprinter. Valverde leads Michael Woods (Canada/EF-Drapac) and 89 others by 12-seconds going into Stage 3.
? @alejanvalverde, guanyador de la 2ª etapa! // ¡Alejandro Valverde, ganador de la 2ª etapa! // Alejandro Valverde, stage 2 winner!#VoltaCatalunya pic.twitter.com/OdqJjDd9Zq
— Volta a Catalunya (@VoltaCatalunya) March 20, 2018