La Volta cycling race comes to Perpignan

2021’s exciting cycling news saw the Tour de France kick start stage 15 in Céret. The pedal-power continues into 2022 with the 101st edition of the celebrated ‘la Volta’ making a return to North Catalonia for only the 5th time in history.

What’s more, Perpignan will be both the start and finish line, an event that has only ever happened twice before, in 1949 and 1959.

On Tuesday 22nd March, the cyclists will race from l’Escala to Perpignan, then on Wednesday 22nd March, the riders will start in Perps and head to la Molina, tackling the mighty Pyrenees mountains on the way.

History of la Volta

Not to be confused with the tour of Spain, la Vuelta, the tour of Catalonia, la Volta was created in 1911. As such is the 4th oldest of all stage cycling races, behind the Tour de France (1903), the Tour de Belgique (1908) and the Tour d’Italie (1909).

Competitors race over 7 days with the final stage arriving in the Catalan capital of Barcelona.

Last year’s overall winner was British rider, Adam Yates!

Know who’s who

Keep up to speed with race leaders with our quick guide to who’s who.