Dorian Godon gave INEOS Grenadiers a perfect start to the Volta a Catalunya on Sunday, edging Remco Evenepoel in a thrilling photo finish to claim stage 1 victory in Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The French national champion timed his sprint to perfection, crossing the line just millimeters ahead of the Soudal-QuickStep leader after 172.8 kilometers of racing along the Costa Brava.
The result was a statement win for Godon and a reminder that INEOS, often criticized for their conservative tactics in recent seasons, have a rider capable of delivering in the sport’s biggest moments.
UAE’s Aggression Goes Unrewarded
The stage was animated by UAE Team Emirates XRG, who attempted to split the peloton in the crosswinds on the exposed coastal roads — a tactic that has become something of a signature for the team under their aggressive racing philosophy. While the move caused panic in the bunch and forced several teams to chase hard, it ultimately failed to create a decisive selection.
By the time the race reached the finishing circuits in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, the peloton had largely regrouped, setting up a reduced bunch sprint where positioning and timing would decide everything.
Godon Times It Perfectly
In the final 200 meters, Evenepoel launched his sprint from a strong position, using his trademark power to open a small gap. But Godon, sitting on the Belgian’s wheel, had saved just enough to come around him in the final meters. The gap at the line was almost invisible — the kind of margin that takes minutes to confirm with the photo-finish cameras.
Godon’s victory sees him take the first leader’s jersey of the race, a significant psychological boost ahead of what promises to be a brutal week in the mountains of Catalonia.
What’s Coming Next
The Volta a Catalunya runs through March 29, with seven stages covering 1,081 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast to Barcelona. The real battle for the overall classification is expected to unfold in the middle stages, where three consecutive summit finishes — at Vallter (Stage 4), Coll de Pal near La Molina (Stage 5), and the Queralt sanctuary (Stage 6) — will provide the terrain for the GC contenders to show their hand.
Stage 2 takes the race from Figueres to Banyoles on Monday, covering 167.4 kilometers over rolling terrain that could suit another sprint finish or a late breakaway, depending on how the teams choose to control the race.
Evenepoel, despite narrowly missing the stage win, will take confidence from his form heading into the mountains. The Belgian has been open about his desire to use Catalunya as a key preparation race for the Tour de France, and his late-race punch suggests his climbing legs are coming together on schedule.
A Star-Studded Startlist
This year’s Volta a Catalunya has attracted a formidable field, with several Grand Tour contenders using the race as a tune-up for the spring and summer campaigns ahead. The presence of UAE Team Emirates XRG in force signals their intention to dominate across multiple fronts this season, while INEOS Grenadiers’ strong start through Godon suggests the British team is finding form at the right time.
The race also carries added significance following Nairo Quintana’s retirement announcement, which was made at the pre-race press conference — lending an emotional undertone to the Colombian’s final appearance at a race he won in 2016.
With the mountain stages looming, the GC battle is about to ignite. Stage 4’s summit finish at Vallter on Wednesday will be the first major showdown.
