The route consists of a loop from Berga via Gironella, Puig-reig, Santa Maria de Merlès, Borredà, and Vilada back to Berga. It’s not completely flat, though. There’s a 5.8-kilometre climb at 3.8% in the first 20 kilometres, followed by a long stretch of false flat. This continues all the way to the foot of the Coll de la Batallola. However, instead of climbing it, the riders descend back to Berga. But even in the descent, the road regularly rises, while the final stretch also runs uphill.
The stage is a work in progress, as the riders start under neutralised conditions, and along the way, they will decide what happens in consultation with the organisation. It turns out to be a 25-kilometre race. Not, as initially thought, a neutralised lap followed by a racing lap, but instead, the flag drops for a 25-kilometre sprint to the line.
Another interesting read: results 6th stage 2025 Volta a Catalunya.
Volta a Catalunya 2025, stage 6: interactive map
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After a 5.8-kilometre climb at 3.8% in the first 20 kilometres and a long, gradual false flat, the real climbing begins just after the 50-kilometre mark on the Coll de la Batallola, an 11.6-kilometre ascent at 3.2%. At the summit, the riders will have just passed the halfway point.
Over the next 20 kilometres, the peloton descends to the foot of the Collado de San Isidere, a tough 5-kilometre climb at 8.8%. A fast descent then leads to the Pantà de la Baells reservoir, after which the riders continue on undulating roads towards Berga—indeed, the start location of the stage.
From Berga, the road rises for 5.9 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.5% to the finish line at the Sanctuary of Queralt. The gradients frequently hit double digits, though the road levels out slightly in the final few hundred metres.
The first three riders across the line will receive 10, 6, and 4 bonus seconds, while intermediate sprints offer 3, 2, and 1-second bonuses. Interestingly, the first intermediate sprint comes after just 6 kilometres, with the second positioned at the foot of the final climb.
Volta a Catalunya 2025, stage 6: route, profile, video
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Below, you will find the original course description, along with the original route and profile maps.
The stage from Berga to Queralt was the toughest mountain stage of last year’s Volta a Catalunya. That is, for most riders – Tadej Pogacar didn’t seem to mind. He attacked with 30 kilometres to go and soloed to victory. It was his third win of that edition, and he would go on to secure a total of four stage victories, as well as the overall classification.
This year’s stage closely mirrors that route. After a 5.8-kilometre climb at 3.8% within the first 20 kilometres, the riders enter a prolonged false flat leading all the way to the base of the Coll de la Batallola, an 11.6-kilometre ascent averaging 3.2%. The descent leads directly onto the day’s most demanding test, Coll de Pradell, which stretches over 15.1 kilometres at 6.7%. The second half is the challenging most, with gradients averaging 9.3%.
There’s still 60 kilometres remaining atop the Coll de Pradell.
The descent has an uphill section of 3.4 kilometres at 4.5% halfway, and once the riders are back down, the next climb appears. The Collado de San Isidere is 5 kilometres long and averaging 8.8%. The riders plunge down to the Pantà de la Baells reservoir and continue along the lake back to Berga.
From Berga it’s 5.9 kilometres to the Queralt Sanctuary. It’s all uphill and the average gradient sits at 7.5%. The gradient occasionally spikes into double digits, easing slightly in the last few hundred metres.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX 6th stage 2025 Volta a Catalunya.
Volta a Catalunya 2025, stage 6: route, profile, video
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