Joaquim Rodriguez faces a stern test when he tries to defend his narroy 4-second lead over Alberto Contador in today's final stage of the Volta a Catalunya. However, the Spaniard is confident in his chances of the circuit in Barcelona that contains the Montjuic climb where he escaped in a stage of the 2012 Vuelta a Espana.

The largest breakaway of the week saw success in Saturday’s stage 6 of la Volta Ciclista a Catalunya with the winner emerging from a nine rider group that went away after only 7 km of racing.

“Everything was fine today," Rodriguez said. "All of the other GC riders were with me and we faced no dangers. The team controlled the race perfectly although it was difficult with the strong wind.”

With no one in the break in position to challenge for the lead of Joaquim Rodriguez, Katusha Team had an easier day controlling the race as the responsibility fell to the teams with aspirations of winning the stage. For the riders of the Russian Global Cycling Project, that meant staying near the front and protecting Purito Rodriguez from the stiff winds that faced the group on the 172 km route from El Vendrell to end along the coast in Vilanova I la Geltrú. 

With nearly two minutes in hand at 10 km to go, the breakaway worked well together until the first attack came from Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) at the 9 km mark. The 42 year old racer was quickly brought back, setting up additional attempts by other riders, but the stiff headwind helped nullify all efforts. At 4 km to go Voigt tried again, but this time his attempt was met by the winning move from Stef Clement of Belkin. The former Dutch time trial champion went to work and once he turned direction and received a howling tailwind, he couldn’t be caught and easily won the stage victory after almost four hours of racing. Taking second and third were Rudy Molard of Cofidis and Pieter Serry (Omega Pharma-QuickStep). There was no change on the overall with Joaquim Rodriguez still in the lead.

Joaquim Rodriguez looks forward to the final day in Catalunya:

“Tomorrow is a nice circuit, very typical of a world’s circuit. It’s nice if no rain but otherwise it can be dangerous. It will be good to arrive in the last lap with my entire team and then it’s up to me to be ready to finish off the effort with a nice victory.” 

The weather forecast currently shows only a slight chance of light showers.

With only 4 seconds to Alberto Contador and seven to Tejay Van Garderen and time bonuses available on the finish line, Rodriguez and the Katusha Team will need to be attentive and vigilant as they ride the 8 closing circuits of the Alt de Montjuïc. The stage is 120.7 km in Barcelona. 

You can read our preview of the stage here.