PREVIEW | Volta a Catalunya 2025 stage 5 - Roglic and Ayuso set to defend Catalunya lead on crosswind-sprint stage
Cycling
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 stage 5.
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.
There isn't much to analyse on this day, and the truth is we should have a regular bunch sprint on a finale that has nothing technical about it.
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Stage 5: Terres de l'Ebre (Paúls) - Terres de l'Ebre (Amposta), 172 kilometers
The Weather

Map Volta a Catalunya 2025 stage 5
The strong northwestern wind will light this up to be another exciting day of racing. Kaden Groves and most of Alpecin-Deceuninck have left the race, leaving the field quite open for a surprise victory, but the truth is this will be a day where the GC teams will take to the front. It will be strong enough to create splits on several moments of the race but specially in the final hour of racing as it takes place on quite exposed roads. The final kilometers will be in a headwind, but until then that won't be the case.
This should be a day where the whole peloton won't arrive to the finish in contention for the win. Splits should occur, however how big they will be is hard to predict. A sprint finish will still decide the day, as the exposed headwind in the final kilometers makes a solo move almost impossible to thrive. Leadout won't be too crucial, likely. I believe Brennan and Vernon, the two fastest sprinters in the race until today, will be the main favourites.
Prediction Volta a Catalunya 2025 stage 5:
*** Matthew Brennan, Ethan Vernon
** Marijn van den Berg, Pavel Bittner
* Edward Planckaert, Matevz Govekar, Jon Aberasturi, Dorian Godon, Andrea Vendrame, Itamar Einhor, Axel Laurance
** Marijn van den Berg, Pavel Bittner
* Edward Planckaert, Matevz Govekar, Jon Aberasturi, Dorian Godon, Andrea Vendrame, Itamar Einhor, Axel Laurance
Pick: Matthew Brennan
How: Reduced bunch sprint.
Original: Rúben Silva
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🚴♂️ Aquest és el 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭 de la Volta a Catalunya masculina 2025!
— Volta a Catalunya (@VoltaCatalunya) March 14, 2025
🗺️ ¡Aquí tenemos el 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 de la #VoltaCatalunya 2025!
😍 The 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞 for #VoltaCatalunya104! pic.twitter.com/iwRRWNkADn

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.
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- So, you never really compared Paul Seixas with his main rival Isaac Del Toro why jump to Pogačar? They've (Paul & Isaac) raced together here and there, and they've both shared in wins and losses, I think they should be compared to each other, even with Vingegaard and Remco first before even touching Pogačar. From your writing it's like he's better than Vingegaard, Remco and Del Toro already that his main target is now Pogačar 🤔Sadick11-11-2026
- gee i hope its a minor injury. a great rider and ambassador for the sport. get well soon Lucinda.
Davide11-11-2026 - some of lidl-treks retention and recruiting has been puzzling in the mens and womens teams.
Davide11-11-2026 - Yeah his ride at World's was unreal. Over 6 W/kg for over an hour and a half...he single handedly destroyed the break.DAS11-11-2026
- Exactly, you hit the nail on te head.... Ayuso sucks. 3 to 4 years ago some cycling experts were comparing Ayuso as the "new Pogi"... but he's not even close to him... either physically or mentally. Capish you naive schoolboy?PogiSloFans11-11-2026
- I think they expected more from riders like Carlos Rodriguez, Vauquelin and Magnus Sheffield. Imo they should have focused on signing Primoz Roglic, at least they´d probably have had a guaranteed podium GT finisher (he still might sign for them). Now they have 2nd or third tier riders in the classics (Ben Turner, Arensman, Beloki and hopefully Onley can step up again even more). Sheffield, August, Bernal, Tarling and Geoghan Hart did not live up to the star expectations eventually..Jonatan11-11-2026
- Fuuuuuuck, Ciccone and Pidcock on the same team, attacking like crazy and taking it to the other competitors? Yes, please.Occam11-11-2026
- Oh Cameron, this win has been a long time coming! We could not be more proud. All I’ll say is: roll on Glasgow 🔥anonymouscyclist11-11-2026
- Ayuso is another guy riding for GC but won't be able to consistently do it. Almost all of these guys, Skjelmose included, would be better off targeting shorter stage races or one-day races rather than shooting for a GT top-five.Occam11-11-2026
- Awesome. Because you didn't like him, he sucks. Good Lord, you're tendentious. And you write like a 15 yo locked in his room after school.Occam11-11-2026
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