Bretagne-Seche, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, CCC Sprandi-Polkowice, Cofidis, Colombia, Europcar and Wanty-Groupe Gobert have received the seven wild cards for the Volta a Catalunya which will be held between 23 and 29 March.
The seven Professional Continental teams join the 17 WorldTour formations. The route includes 24 climbs, one in the Special Category, eight of the first, two of the second and 13 of the third.
The stage to La Molina (Alp) will be the queen stage of the Catalan race and the second mountain stage comes the next day where the riders will travel from Alp and Valls. The first three days are expected to suit the sprinters. The race will finish on Montjuicafter seven laps of 6.1 kilometers circuit which includes the Can Valera climb.
Route:
Stage 1: Calella - Calella, 191.1 km
Stage 2: Mataró - Olot, 195 km
Stage 3: Girona - Girona, 159.6 km
Stage 4: Tona - La Molina (Alp), 191 km
Stage 5: Alp - Valls, 197 km
Stage 6: Cervera - Port Aventura, 197.7 km
Stage 7: Barcelona - Barcelona (Montjuic), 123.5 km
Last year, the victory was taken by Joaquim Rodriguez, ahead of Alberto Contador, Tejay van Garderen, Romain Bardet, Nairo Quintana and Chris Froome. Daniel Martin won in 2013, Michael Albasini in 2012, Michele Scarponi in 2011, Joaquim Rodriguez took his first win in 2010 and Alejandro Valverde won in 2009.
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