PREVIEW | Volta a Catalunya 2023 stage 1 - Bryan Coquard and Ethan Hayter main favourites for opening sprint stage
Cycling
Preview. Stage 1 of the Volta a Catalunya will put the sprinters to the test, as they find an explosive finish where many riders' legs will be tested.
Stage one to Sant Feliu de Guíxols will be a loop, with the coastal town receiving the start of the Catalan event. It is a tricky day, one that is designed for the sprinters, however those who are able to climb as it is by far a flat affair. The 164 kilometers will have some small difficulties and a treacherous uphill drag to the line. There will be four categorized climbs in the day.
Start and finish time Stage 1: 13:05 - 17:00CET
Stage 1: Sant Feliu de Guíxols – Sant Feliu de Guíxols, 164.5 kilometers
The final one of those will summit with 25 kilometers to go. The ascent is 4.6 kilometers long at 5.6%, not a brutal one but it will cause some damage in the pure sprinters. If that isn't enough however the final kilometers will. They are very rolling, technical and the pace should be furious as it will be hard to position.
There will be a small descent leading into the final 2 kilometers where the peloton will be stretched. The pace into it will be very high. Then they go up to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, a slight hilltop finish as the final avenue goes up with gradients of 5%. The ramp is over 500 meters long, it will make a difference to the stage's decision.
Stage 1 Finale
The Weather
Map Volta a Catalunya 2023 stage 1
Slight northeastern breeze on the day. Should not affect it much, could possible make for a tailwind finish.
Read also
The Favourites
Bryan Coquard - Winner of a slight hilltop finish at the Tour Down Under, it is safe to say this is a perfect finale for Coquard. A hilly day but winning here would also mean leading a World Tour race, an important achievement for a rider who has worked so hard throughout his career. Cofidis have a modest team but it's not like there will be luxurious rival leadouts.
Ethan Hayter - At his best Ethan Hayter can ride just about every terrain. This year he hasn't yet shown his best level, not even close. INEOS Grenadiers will be supporting him as a leader on this day and the uphill drag to the line will be good form him, but he will need a perfect day to make it work.
As I've said the field of sprinters isn't exactly luxurious. Kaden Groves should be the main favourite but he hasn't looked too sharp yet this year. Jon Aberasturi and Clément Venturini will also have important opportunities here.
In the field of the puncheurs who carry a strong sprint, or riders who are half sprint half puncheurs, you also have the likes of Hugo Hofstetter, Milan Menten, Andreas Kron and Corbin Strong who will all have their eyes open for this finale.
The finale will be tricky. The lack of true big sprinters here can influence the GC riders into trying to go for bonifications, as most will need to be close to the front in order to prevent getting caught out in splits. Such a finale could see a surprise, on his best day Primoz Roglic could be in contention for the stage win. Remco Evenepoel and Giulio Ciccone will also be interesting riders to keep an eye out on the day.
Prediction Volta a Catalunya 2023 stage 1:
*** Bryan Coquard, Ethan Hayter
** Kaden Groves, Milan Menten, Corbin Strong
* Primoz Roglic, Hugo Hofstetter, Jon Aberaturi, Andreas Kron, Clément Venturini
** Kaden Groves, Milan Menten, Corbin Strong
* Primoz Roglic, Hugo Hofstetter, Jon Aberaturi, Andreas Kron, Clément Venturini
Pick: Bryan Coquard
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
claps 3visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Pidcock finished 9th place, 29 minutes down. he is a helluva rider, so gutsy. and he is amazing at all disciplines. but this headline is . . .mij09-11-2026
- I know, watch the video. and listen to her competitors. it was a tricky tacky call at best. WTF is this guy talking about??? my original comment was from the picture it didn't look like anything.mij09-11-2026
- I dunno what you're talking about. you make no sense. MS's competitor and the competitors coach said it was BS. she didn't deviate in a way that relegation should be required. revel LOL. you're so cool, in your own mind.mij09-11-2026
- deviation lol, watch the videomij09-11-2026
- the 'No different than women who follow and discuss celebs through gossip magazines' comment was unfortunately a bit off. didn't you just boast about your principles in the comments section of another article?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- Are you MrMauMau 2.0? Nothing you are saying is really relevant. Vaguely connected, but irrelevant. The conversation is whether Schreiber impeded Brand or not.
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
- Yeah, unreal.
parisbound0008-11-2026
Loading
🔥 Una #VoltaCatalunya102 de luxe! Esteu a punt?🤩 🔥 ¿Estáis listos? 🔥 Are you ready? 💥
Write a comment