The Volta a Catalunya’s peloton experienced quite an unusual day on Saturday, during the sixth stage. After already being shortened on Friday, the stage was completely changed before the start due to strong gusts of wind but plans also evolved once they were on the bike! The riders ultimately competed for twenty-five minutes only, and an uphill finish in Berga saw Quinn Simmons take the win. Clément Braz Afonso (19th) and Brieuc Rolland (20th) completed the top 20. On to Barcelona for the final stage.
When they got to the start in Berga on Saturday morning, the riders still thought they were heading towards the summit finish of Queralt, in a mid-mountain stage that was supposed to have an impact on the overall. However, all the scenarios they had planned quickly proved out of date. “The organizers had shortened the stage yesterday due to the very strong wind forecast,” explained Stéphane Goubert. “Yet, there was still a lot of wind at the start, and this led to a lot of discussion. They eventually found a suitable course and decided, after negotiations with the riders, to do a neutralized lap, “to check it out”, then a race lap.” The peloton set off shortly after 2 p.m. on a seventy-kilometre circuit that ultimately didn’t include any real climbs. “The issue is the race was very slow because of the headwind, and the timings for getting back to the hotel and for the TV broadcast were getting tighter and tighter,” added Stéphane. “In just a few minutes, it was then decided that the finish would be at the end of the first lap, which was supposed to be neutralized.”
“Thirty minutes full gas,” Stéphane Goubert
After the information was shared with everyone, the “start” was given… twenty-six kilometers from the finish, located in Berga. Rémy Rochas was part of a first breakaway attempt, but the peloton obviously never eased off, and the descent towards the finishing town eventually caused some splits. “It was thirty minutes full gas,” said Stéphane. “Getting going can sometimes be difficult, but the guys went with the flow. We tried to establish a small plan, even though it’s never easy with this format. Tom had great qualities for this finish, as did our three climber-punchers, Clément, Rémy, and Brieuc. Early on, Tom told us he wasn’t feeling very well, then the guys tried to get together, but it wasn’t simple.” The peloton came in various pieces at the bottom of the uphill finish, and Quinn Simmons took advantage of being slightly up front to anticipate and claim victory.
Clément Braz Afonso and Brieuc Rolland finished a few seconds later, in 19th and 20th places. “I would obviously have preferred it to be a mountain stage, as initially planned,” concluded Stéphane. “That would have allowed our guys to go up front, have a good day, and work on a proper mountain stage. The conditions made that impossible. Now, there is the Barcelona’s stage, which will also be very short (88 km). There will be a lot at stake in terms of the general classification, and we’ll have to take that into account so as not to do useless moves.”
