Volta a Catalunya 2017: Favourites
The first Froome/Contador clash in 2017 is about to take place in the Volta a Catalunya. Both are backed up by strong squads, so let’s consider it to be a test for July’s showdown. But the star-studded field comprises more world class riders. Who are the favourites to win the 2017 Volta a Catalunya?
The Volta a Catalunya is Chris Froome’s first big race in 2017. All eyes are on him, so the triple Tour de France winner will be focussed to perform. Yet, the Volta a Catalunya didn’t bring him any stunning results so far. His best performance was in 2014 – 6th overall – while Contador is a one-time victor. Both are backed up by their chief assistants for the upcoming Tour de France: Thomas and Landa for Froome, Mollema for Contador.
Contador will go to great lengths to take his first victory for Trek. In Ruta del Sol and Paris-Nice victory eluded him by 1 and 2 seconds, respectively with Alejandro Valverde and Sergio Henao as winner.
Besides Valverde two more contenders in in the Volta Catalunya have a 2017 victory under their belt. Bauke Mollema did win the Tour de San Juan while Ben Hermans took the Tour of Oman, yet we can expect them to ride in support of Contador and Van Garderen/Dennis, respectively.
Stage 3 and stage 5 are probably going to be decisive, and let’s not underestimate the team time trial on the second day. With a distance of over 40 kilometres the TTT specialists of Quick-Step (Dan Martin) and BMC (Tejay van Garderen, Rohan Dennis) will be ready to deliver a first blow.
Interesting to watch Rohan Dennis. The 26-yo time trialist aims to develop into a Grand Tour contender. The Volta a Catalunya is his second test before the upcoming Giro d’Italia will be his first shot. In the Tirreno-Adriatico he finished in second overall, less than half a minute down on Nairo Quintana.
Of the contending riders Alejandro Valverde (2009), Alberto Contador (2011) and Daniel Martin (2013) did win the Volta a Catalunya before.
Favourites Volta a Catalunya 2017
*** Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Daniel Martin, Alejandro Valverde
** Tejay van Garderen, Adam Yates, Ilnur Zakarin, Romain Bardet, Geraint Thomas
* Rafal Majka, Andrew Talansky, Rohan Dennis, Bauke Mollema, Jakob Fuglsang
Volta a Catalunya Route
Volta a Catalunya Riders
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Valverde powers to overall win with third stage victory - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Impey wins sprint, Valverde cements overall lead - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Valverde solos to mountain victory and leader's jersey - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Nacer Bouhanni sprints to victory, Van Garderen retains GC-lead - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Valverde outsprints Dan Martin in La Molina, Van Garderen new leader - Volta a Catalunya 2017 BMC wins TTT - Movistar penalised for pushing - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Cimolai outsprints Bouhanni to take first leaders jersey - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Route stage 1: Calella – Calella - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Route stage 2: TTT in Banyoles - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Route stage 3: Mataró - La Molina - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Route stage 4: Montferrer - Igualada - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Route stage 5: Valls - Lo Port (Tortosa) - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Route stage 6: Tortosa - Reus - Volta a Catalunya 2017 Route stage 7: Barcelona - Barcelona - Volta a Catalunya 2017 More articles Vuelta 2025: The Route
Vuelta 2025: Riders
Vuelta 2025 Route stage 1: Turin – Novara
Vuelta 2025 Route stage 2: Alba - Limone Piemonte
Vuelta 2025 Route stage 3: San Maurizio Canavese - Ceres
Vuelta a España: Winners and records
Tour de France 2025: The Route
Tour de France 2025: Riders
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 1: Lille - Lille
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 2: Lauwin-Planque - Boulogne-sur-Mer
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 3: Valenciennes - Dunkirk
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 4: Amiens - Rouen
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 5: Caen - Caen
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 7: Saint-Malo - Mûr-de-Bretagne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 8: Saint-Méen-le-Grand - Laval
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 9: Chinon - Châteauroux
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 10: Ennezat - Le Mont-Dore
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 11: Toulouse - Toulouse
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 12: Auch - Hautacam
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 13: Loudenvielle - Peyragudes
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 15: Muret - Carcassonne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 16: Montpellier - Mont Ventoux
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 18: Vif - Col de la Loze
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 19: Albertville - La Plagne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 20: Nantua - Pontarlier
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 21: Mantes-la-Ville - Paris
Cycling Calendar 2025
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 14: Pau - Superbagnères
Giro 2025: The Route Rumours
Giro 2025: Riders
Tour de France Femmes 2025: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2025 Route stage 1: Vannes - Plumelec
Tour Down Under 2025: The Route
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!