After his two excellent stage wins in his debut grand tour at last year's Vuelta a Espana, Warren Barguil has found himself under pressure to confirm those results. He did so in last week's Volta a Catalunya by finishing 9th overall in a field that contained most of the best stage race riders in the world.

Warren Barguil has finished the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya in ninth place after a tough final stage into Barcelona.

The focus for Team Giant-Shimano was on rallying around Barguil throughout the stage and keeping him out of trouble and in position for the tough finish circuits.

The day was dominated by a large breakaway of 13 riders from which just five survived to the finish. Lieuwe Westra (Astana) took a solo victory, while behind a selection of 25 or so riders formed with all the overall contenders including Barguil.

There was no change in the overall as the group came across the line together, just over two minutes down on the stage winner, so Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) was crowned the overall winner, while Barguil finished the stage in 17th position.

“I was strong today and the team once again did a great job to support me,” said Warren after the stage. “Johannes Fröhlinger did a really good job helping to set me up in position as the action kicked off on the finishing circuit.

“I’m really happy to prove that my stage wins in the Vuelta last year weren’t lucky. Climbing with the best guys in the world is an amazing feeling for me and it motivates me to keep improving and to keep challenging.”

Team Giant-Shimano coach in Spain, Addy Engels said:

“We said before the stage today that we wanted to focus on Warren’s position overall rather than trying to get a guy up the road, especially as we were two riders down.

“The guys stayed with Warren all day which was great to see and kept him fresh for the tough finishing circuits. He needed to be strong as it was tough but he was and he has showed us here once again what he is capable of.

“Our goals for this race were to try and take a stage win and go for a good position overall with Warren. We have come away with three stages with Luka Mezgec, a couple of days in the leader’s jersey and a ninth place for Warren – safe to say it has been a successful race.”