Full and hungry, the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE) has insisted on leaving his signature in each and every one of the races he competes. He was not going to be different in the 103rd edition of La Volta a Catalunya, designed especially for combative runners. Nothing forgives the modern cannibal, whose limitless ambition makes him fight in any circumstance. At the end of Sant Feliu de Guíxols he was surprised, however, by the brave Australian Nick Schultz (Israel), an indiscreet guest who gave the bell thanks to a distant attack. He reacted a second later than Pogacar should have, who has fun, enjoys himself and is a champion in both victory and defeat. He missed his rival by half a length, but as soon as he crossed the finish line he gave her a thumbs up in congratulations.
That was the staging of the UAE rider in his debut in La Volta. A colossal first finish sponsored by a voracious cyclist, who also arrives hungry for not being able to win the Milan-San Remo last Sunday. Throughout this first stage, of 173.9 km, on a leg-breaking terrain in which three climbs stood out, one of the third category and two of the second category, his team strove to impose a very high pace that would exhaust all its rivals. . This also left him without companions for the final part of the route. Only Marc Soler and the Portuguese Almeida were able to help him in the last climb of the day, the Alt de Sant Grau, ten kilometers from the finish line.
The arrival in Sant Feliu de Guíxols was favorable for the conditions of Komenda. 750 meters with a gradient of 5%, perfect to prevent the sprinters from getting into the fight. Without teammates to control the race in that final part, Nick Schultz surprised everyone with an attack with one kilometer left. The Israel cyclist gritted his teeth during what was the longest 500 meters of his life. From behind, no one took command until Pogacar appeared. His attack was devastating and only Stephen Williams (Israel) was able to follow him at a certain distance. With each pedal stroke he cut several meters off Schultz (29 years old), who with great intrigue signed the third victory of his career, none as unforgettable as this one.
Among the rest of the resigned favorites, Sepp Kuss, winner of the last Vuelta a España, Enric Mas, Esteban Chaves, Nairo Quintana and Jack Haig arrived in the main group.
With no time to rest, today comes the first high finish in the very tough Vallter. This special category pass is the roof of La Volta (2,150 meters above sea level) and will be the eighth time it has been climbed. Its more than 11 kilometers of ascent from Setcases with an average gradient of 7.6% are hard enough for the spectacle to be guaranteed again.
