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The Volta Ciclista a Catalunya has traditionally been held in May but this year has a new date in late March which makes it a much more standout race and a vital build-up for the one-day spring classics in April.

The Volta Ciclista a Catalunya was first held in 1911 and this year’s race is the 90th edition. The race is organised by the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Associació Esportiva, a sports association that has always worked to promote cycling in this part of Spain. 

In 2009, Spain’s Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) won overall after a close race with talented young Irish rider Daniel Martin (Garmin-Slipstream). Valverde took the white leader’s jersey early in the race and just held off a strong attack from Martin on stage four to Vallnord Sector Pal in the Pyrenees.

As is the tradition, the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya includes a mix of hilly and flat stages, with sprints often along the coast, close to the holiday resorts, then mountain stages inland in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Regional capital Barcelona always hosts a stage and this year the Gerona area will also host some of the racing. The town is now home to more than a dozen professional riders from the USA, Britain and Australia because of the excellent weather, training roads and local hospitality. For these riders, the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya is their adopted home race.

The Volta Ciclista a Catalunya has some of the biggest names in professional cycling on the winners’ list and the new date in March will attract some of the current stars of the sport. Tour de France winner Alberto Contador is set to ride, as is his major rival Lance Armstrong.

Their battle will be a perfect way to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the race.