Despite a stage where a GC shakeup was anticipated, attacks were rare or quickly neutralized until inside the final kilometer in the 162.9km Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Stage 3 on Wednesday.
The peloton remained spread across the road after the final breakaway rider had been caught, with riders like Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), and Chris Froome (Team Sky) staying near the front. Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Rigoberto Uran also stayed in good position. However, an attack by Froome was reeled in, and the peloton continued to look around at each other. Finally, Rodriguez launched an attack in the final few hundred meters on the Category 1 climb. Only Contador could try to match his speed, but even he was unable to make it to the wheel of Rodriguez.
Rodriquez went on to win solo. Contador was 2nd, and Quintana was 3rd. Uran finished 13th.
OPQS looks next to a 166.4km Stage 4 on Thursday, which includes a finish on HC Vallter 2000.
