2022 Volta a Catalunya – Stage 4 Preview

By @EchelonsHub

The first mountain stage of the Volta a Catalunya didn’t see many differences in the overall classification however it was battled between the climbers. Ben O’Connor was the first main attacker in the final climb and succeeded, as he had the power to succeed and took advantage of the lack of collaboration behind to succeed and take his first win of the season. He is also the new race leader, as he finished ahead of Juan Ayuso and Nairo Quintana. 

Positive: O’Connor taking the win. 

Negative: Simon Yates and Pavel Sivakov were some of the main favourites for today but cracked early on and fell out of the overall classification.  

The Route 

Stage four is the queen stage. Likely to be the day that sees the biggest differences. It features 3500 meters of climbing in the Spanish Pyrenees, and sees the return of a climb that hasn’t been used in the race for 20 years.  

The Coll de Beixols and the Port de la Creu de Perves will serve to set up the rhythm of the race, perhaps the place for the breakaway to be formed early in the day, but the stage decisions will come down to the final climb. 

The Boí Taüll is 13 kilometers long at 5.9%. Although not easy, it’s definitely not as hard as some of the climbs that have marked the race in the past, which will make race more strategical. This is an ascent that features it’s toughest gradients in the first third, which would mean that to create significant gaps the GC group would have to be implodes in this section, aswell as attacked.  

That is because between the 8 to 5 kilometer to go mark there will be three small flat sections, which the climbers will use to take a small rest, meaning they’d be more easily able to respond to attacks; aswell as being less favourable for attacks. 

The final 4 kilometers ramp up again, but the gradients don’t ever go above the 6/7% mark, which is definitely enough to create differences, however they won’t be big and they are roads where slipstreaming has a significant effect when you ride at the speed the world’s best up these. 

The Weather

No wind, but cold temperatures. Nothing that should be a major challenge. 

Breakaway chances: 10% 

Low, there will be a full-on GC battle going on in the final climb, but the start of the stage will not be favourable for any group to escape. 

The Favourites 

Nairo Quintana – Tomorrow will be the stage for him to strike. There will be altitude, an explosive climb, and the Colombian has the form to go for the stage win and race lead. 

BORA – Sergio Higuita and Jai Hindley have looked good today, but they haven’t been able to take time on their rivals. Tomorrow is where they have to do it, but they do seem capable of doing some damage. 

UAE – Juan Ayuso has looked seriously strong today. Marc Soler struggled , however Ayuso brings a new card into the Spanish team, who already have João Almeida as a strong contender. They may have the strength in depth, aswell as several options. 

Ben O’Connor – He will have a lead to defend, which will not be easy. However surely there will be several teams with interest that may put on the chase for the Australian. He’s got the form, he’ll enjoy the cold conditions and can secure that overall win. 

There will be several other contenders though, as today’s stage wasn’t selective enough to understand who is on his very best form and who isn’t. Wout Poels, Giulio Ciccone, Tobias Johannessen, Guillaume Martin and Steven Kruijswijk will all be strong contenders for the stage win. 

Movistar duo of Alejandro Valverde and Ivan Sosa, and the INEOS duo of Richard Carapaz and Carlos Rodriguez will also be looking to strike on the mountainous stage. There will be more riders, like Simon Yates for example who failed today, who may look into grabbing a stage win with the freedom he’ll have. 

Prediction Time 

⭐⭐⭐Quintana, Higuita 

⭐⭐Hindley, Almeida, Ayuso, Johannessen, Ciccone, Carapaz 

⭐ Soler, O’Connor, Buitrago, Poels, G.Martin, Kruijswijk, Valverde, Sosa, Rodriguez, Yates 

He’s looking sharp, and he’s got the form. A summit finish, I foresee Nairo Quintana to take the stage win, possibly the race lead aswell. 

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Rúben Silva

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