Volta a Catalunya Stage 7 - Quintana secures GC as Tsatevich takes stage

Nairo Quintana and his Movistar team held on to his seven second lead coming into the final stage to confirm his overall victory in the Volta a Catalunya.

Aleksei Tsatevich (KAT) won the final stage having been in the break all day with second placed Primoz Roglic (TLJ), as the hilly final circuits meant that the peloton's attention was solely on the GC classification.

12 riders made the early break to open up a lead of over 3 minutes, although not before the first intermediate sprint, where Dan Martin (EQS) picked up another second in the GC standings, to move him onto the podium as it stood.

Movistar always kept Quintana at the front of the peloton, well protected by two or three teammates, ready to counter any attacks, which began in earnest as soon as they reached the circuits around Barcelona's Olympic Park.

The hills and tight corners were ripe for attacks, and so it proved, with Fabio Aru (AST) and then Chris Froome (SKY) showing their teeth for the first time after fairly anonymous weeks. Despite them both needing to pick up over a minute, neither was allowed to get too far clear, and were swiftly reeled back in.

Alberto Contador, needing only to pick up a handful of seconds, either by gapping Quintana or in bonus seconds, and he made his move on the penultimate lap, breaking a few lengths clear, but Quintana always had him covered.

With all the attempted attacks and counters, the breakaway, while dwindling in size with every lap, was able to remain clear. It was just two riders by the end, with Tsatevich winning the sprint, although Roglic almost caught him as Tsatevich celebrated.

Behind, a group of just under 20 elite riders had broken away, as Contador, Froome, Martin and others all attempted to make last-gasp escapes, all of which were stopped by a now isolated Quintana. The group all came across the line together, with Jarlinson Pantano (IAM) leading them across, as Quintana rolled home safely to win the Volta a Catalunya.

Jon Herranz

Stage results
1. Aleksei Tsatevich (KAT) 3:13:33
2. Primoz Roglic (TLJ) + :00
3. Jarlinson Pantano (IAM) + :14

General Classification final standings
1. Nairo Quintana (MOV) 30:50:19
2. Alberto Contador (TNK) + :07
3. Dan Martin (EQS) + :17
4. Richie Porte (BMC) + :17
5. Tejay van Garderen (BMC) + :27
6. Romain Bardet (ALM) + :31
7. Ilnur Zakarin (KAT) + :42
8. Chris Froome (SKY) + :46
9. Hugh Carthy (CJR) + 1:01
10. Rigoberto Uran (CPT) + 1:16