Slovakian cyclist wins La Volta 2020

Calpe was the departure point for the 4th stage of the 71st edition of the Volta Ciclista held last Saturday, February 8. The race finished in Valencia on Sunday.

The Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar, of the UAE Team Emirates, was the great winner of the queen stage in the 71st Volta of the Valencia region. It was a spectacular day with an exciting finish at the tough Sierra de Bernia near Altea. The win made him the virtual leader and winner in the absence of only one stage for the end of the VCV 2020. Pagacar said Saturday’s victory was a great joy. “It was a very hard climb, I didn't know it since I haven't had a chance to train before, but the team worked very well. The plan was to control the race and attack at the right time and I did that”. He plans to be in the next edition of ParisNice and in the Tour de France.

The cyclists were presented with a demanding 170-kilometre route through the interior of Alicante from Calpe to the spectacular surroundings of the Sierra de Bernia, with a route that included four mountain passes.

The race concluded last Sunday in a spectacular sprint final at Valencia city hall square of the fifth and final stage that had

Fabio Jakobsen from Deceuninck Quick Step with a winning time of 2:04:32.

Pogacar however, was declared the outright winner and stated that he was very happy with the victory and said it had been a wonderful race. “I have done very well during all the days, it has been a very beautiful race with very intense moments, the team has responded at all times.” On how he sees his future, the 21-year-old said “I don't know where I will go, but I will try to be the best.”

Undoubtedly, Pogacar is one of the great figures of cycling as he showed average speeds higher than initial forecasts during the five-day race.

Angel Casero, director of the VCV 2020, said that he was very satisfied with how this edition went, the first in the Pro Series category. “We had a very good time; the teams have enjoyed it. Even months ago, they were training on the Valencian roads to prepare and know the route. Now we have to rest a few days to start preparing the next edition”.

Regarding the rest of the awards, the combined general jersey was awarded to Groenewegen of Team Jumbo Visma, winner in two stages and leader the first day of the race. The best climber of the VCV 2020 was Gonzalo Serrano del Caja Rural. The prize for the best young man also went to the leader of the Valencian round, Tadej Pogacar, who also took the orange jersey of the combined general. The prize for the best Valencian cyclist went to Oscar Cabedo of Burgos BH.

Photograph of the Calpe departure taken by David Stockton.