Favorites stage 2 Volta a Catalunya 2026 | Similar on paper, but just that little bit different

The second stage runs from Figueres to Banyoles, just like last year, only this time the two towns swap roles as start and finish locations. The peloton rolls out from Figueres on Tuesday, the place where stage 2 ended in 2025. The profile has changed as well. Ethan Vernon won here last year ahead of Matthew Brennan and Kaden Groves, but this edition looks much less suitable for that type of rider. The official route is 167.4 kilometres long and is listed by the organiser as a “flat” stage, although the roadbook also confirms a category 3 climb at Alt del Purgatori early on and a finish timing of around 05:09 PM local time.

With more than 2,000 metres of elevation gain, this is a proper hilly day out. Unlike the opening stage won by Godon, the decisive part of the stage now sits much closer to the finish. Even though there are no categorised climbs in the final 130 kilometres, the road through the volcanic area around Olot keeps rising and falling all the time, gradually wearing riders down.

The highest point of the day comes a little more than 20 kilometres from the line, so any dropped fast men may still be able to return. But the road never really turns flat after that. On top of that, the final kilometre drags uphill slightly, which should suit sprint-climbers or climbing sprinters far more than the pure fast men. That raises another question too: if the bunch hesitates, might this be a day for attackers?

Everything is likely to revolve around the finale. In the last kilometre, the riders still have to deal with two sharp left-hand turns before one more nasty drag to the line in Banyoles.

Times
Start: 1:10 PM local time
Finish: approx. 5:10 PM local time

The forecast points to excellent racing weather in Catalonia on Tuesday. Around 16°C and dry conditions should make for a very pleasant day on the bike. Monday still featured a bit of wind, but that appears far less relevant for stage 2, with only a light breeze expected between Figueres and Banyoles.

A finish that comes after a long descent sounds tailor-made for Tom Pidcock. The Pinarello Q36.5 rider already looked sharp in Milan-Sanremo and was excellent again on the opening day in Catalonia. The Briton launched a little too early in stage 1 and had to settle for third place, but if he judges his effort better this time, the finish in Banyoles could be right up his street.

If stage 2 is raced as aggressively as stage 1, then the tougher finale makes life more complicated for race leader Dorian Godon. Even so, the French champion still has a realistic chance if the race proves just a touch less selective than expected. And if INEOS Grenadiers need a second option, they may also be able to turn to Oscar Onley. Godon arrives here in form after beating Evenepoel and Pidcock on the opening stage.

Godon was just too strong on Monday for a fast-finishing Remco Evenepoel. The Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe rider has clearly worked on his finishing kick and almost cashed in immediately in stage 1. For the Belgian, this is another good chance to show just how much his sprint has improved on a hard uphill drag.

The GC riders also made their intentions clear on day one. Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida both showed they want to make this a demanding week, and neither of them is slow in a reduced finish. Lenny Martinez underlined the same point by sprinting to sixth place on the opening day. Mattias Skjelmose and Cian Uijtdebroeks were also visible near the front when it mattered.

Looking further down the list of stage 1 contenders, Guillermo Thomas Silva, Andrea Raccagni Noviero and neo-pro Simone Gualdi all caught the eye. Meanwhile, riders such as Magnus Cort, Giulio Ciccone and David Gaudu would normally be expected to handle this kind of finish as well, even if they were less prominent in the opener.

Top favorites: Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5) and Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Outsiders: Dorian Godon (INEOS), Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious), Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Simone Gualdi (Lotto-Intermarché)
Long shots: Oscar Onley (INEOS), Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), João Almeida (UAE), Guillermo Thomas Silva (Astana), Andrea Raccagni Noviero (Soudal Quick-Step) and Magnus Cort (Uno-X)