PREVIEW | Volta a Catalunya 2025 - Primoz Roglic vs Juan Ayuso in key pre-Giro battle

From the 24th to the 30th of March the World Tour peloton returns to Spain, more specifically Catalunya, for one of the most exciting and difficult stage-races in the calendar. The Volta a Catalunya is always a massive test for the climbers, but equally other riders will also get their opportunities. We preview the race ahead.

The race starts off with a finish that is well known for the riders who typically race this event. On paper it is a stage for the sprinters and a sprint is expected, however there are quite a lot of tiny climbs and winding roads before reaching Sant Feliu de Guixols where the final kilometer in itself is uphill.

Stage 2 should be another day for the sprinters but again there is a meaningful obstacle. There are a couple climbs in the middle of the stage that are decently hard, and if pushed it can certainly cause irreparable damage to the peloton. If not, a bunch sprint seems inevitable into Figueres.

Stage 3 takes the riders into the Pyrenees for the well known finale into La Molina. A mountain stage with quite a lot of climbing towards the end - where differences are of course expected - however the gradients in all of the climbs are relatively shallow and so the strongest might find themselves in a tactical battle above all.

Stage 4 is where the race organizers innovated this year, bringing in a day packed with small climbs but all in anticipation to the final one in Montserrat. The ascent is 8.8 kilometers long at 6.6% and it should be ridden at an incredibly high pace. An explosive climbing effort when comparing to the other two mountain stages.

The easiest stage of the race - even though early on we've got some climbing. However on this day, ridden in and around the Terres de l'Erbre, the sprinters will have their way in what is a completely flat finale.

The queen stage of the race most likely. From Berga to Queralt there aren't many kilometers to race but the last half of which features three climbs of great difficulty. The hardest is right away the first (over 15 kilometers at almost 7% and many kilometers above 100%), followed by 5 kilometers at 9% and then the final climb which is 6 kilometers at 7.5%.

This final stage is the one that we all know very well, but it is a successful formula. On the explosive circuit in Barcelona, more specifically Montjuic, the general classification can explode, the classics riders can surprise and even those with a fast finish who can survive can potentially win on the day .

Primoz Roglic - This is going to be a race without a given favourites, unlike last year. We've got three summit finishes which will give plenty opportunities to turn the race around and a final hilly day where there can still be an implosion in the GC. Contender number 1 to look at is Primoz Roglic, who most name the main favourite. I wouldn't, but personally I can't deny his ability to get in great form quickly and to be consistent in such a stage-race. With the Giro d'Italia preparation on full speed, he will have to show good legs here, and I expect him to - racing in Spain suits him well usually. It must be argued that BORA don't exactly have the strongest team present here, and may fall victim of tactical moves from other teams. 

Juan Ayuso - The way Ayuso has won Tirreno-Adriatico is what I expected to see of him after he started the season, but it was nevertheless impressive. It's his true level. No time-trial here to gain time on his rivals, but the climbing is sharp and with his form he should also be the sole leader. He will be backed up by Adam Yates, Pavel Sivakov, Marc Soler and Pablo Torres who can certainly give a massive hand to control the races in the mountains if necessary - or opposite to that, attack his rivals if necessary. It must be said that at his very best level, Yates can also win this race without a doubt.

But we have in this race some very big hitters. Take Lenny Martínez and Felix Gall for example who seemed to be the strongest climbers at Paris-Nice, only they struggled with the weather (and crosswinds) which took them out of GC. However this here is a race for pure climbers and they can put their talents forward in the best way possible. We have last year's podium finishers Mikel Landa (alongside Valentin Paret-Peintre) for Quick-Step, as well as Egan Bernal (alongside Laurens de Plus) for INEOS Grenadiers.

Then we have riders such as Enric Mas and Lennert van Eetvelt who are also brilliant riders for this type of racing suited to the pure climbers and can realistically both win the GC if they have their best level; Visma coming in with the trio of Simon Yates, Sepp Kuss and Wilco Kelderman... Then many other talented climbers such as Tao Geoghegan Hart, Richard Carapaz, Ben O'Connor, Cristian Rodríguez, Lorenzo Fortunato, Matthew Riccitello and Kern Pharma duo of Urko Berrade and Iván Sosa who can definitely fit within the best this week.

*** Juan Ayuso, Primoz Roglic
** Mikel Landa, Lenny Martínez, Lennert van Eetvelt, Enric Mas
* Adam Yates, Simon Yates, Wilco Kelderman, Valentin Paret-Peintre, Laurens de Plus, Egan Bernal, Richard Carapaz, Ben O'Connor, Lorenzo Fortunato, Matthew Riccitello

Pick: Juan Ayuso