The Volta Ciclista a Catalunya starts tomorrow in Catalonia.
The race which is one of the three oldest races in the world, starts with a 178.9km stage which starts and finishes in the seaside town of Calella.
The race organisers then have opted for a team time trial over 41.3kms from Pla de l'Estany to Banyoles before the climbers get a chance with a climb up to La Mollina after a 181km stage from Mataró.
Stage four is a 191.4km from Llívia to Igualada, and there is another climb up the Port on stage five with a 182km stage from Valls to Lo Port de Tortosa.
Stage six on Saturday is a 189km stage from Tortosa to Reus before Barcelona hosts the final 132.7 stage on Sunday March 26th.
Nairo Quintana beat Alberto Contador by seven seconds to win the 2016 race but the Colombian is not coming back to defend his title which should give Contador and Chris Froome of Team Sky along with Alejandro Valverde, Adam Yates, Sam Sanchez, Julian Alaphillippe, Dan Martin, a chance of taking the victory.
As well as Chris Froome of Team Sky and Adam Yates of Orica Scott, other British riders are Peter Kennaugh of Team Sky and Hugh Carthy of Cannondale Drapac.
By Kev Monks for Digital Sports Group
Source: DSG
