The 2012 edition of the Tour of Catalonia - or the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, if you're a local - runs from March 19-25 in eastern Spain.
The seven-day WorldTour race offers an alternative to the spring classics in northern Europe. Since a date change from May to March in 2010, the race has attracted Grand Tour contenders warming up for the Giro d'Italia.
Last year's result was settled in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland in February, when Alberto Contador was handed a back-dated suspension for failing a test for clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France. His win in the 2011 Tour of Catalonia was subsequently annulled and handed to runner-up, Italian Michele Scarponi.
Bradley Wiggins (Sky) is Britain's sole representative in the 2012 race, fresh from winning Paris-Nice earlier this month. The last and only Briton to win the Tour of Catalonia was Robert Millar in 1985.
With no time trial in this year's edition, the route plays firmly into the hands of the climbers.
Wednesday's stage three from La Vall d'en Bas to Port-Ainé is likely to dictate the top order of the race overall. The day's four climbs, two of which are hors categorie, should force a selection among the front runners.
On this page you'll find links to all of Cycling Weekly's online coverage of the 2012 Tour of Catalonia, updated daily during the race with the latest news, reports and photos.
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Tour of Catalonia 2012: Stages
Stage one, Monday March 19, Calella to Calella, 138km
Stage two, Tuesday March 20, Girona to Girona, 161km
Stage three, Wednesday March 21, La Vall d'en Bas (Sant Esteve d'en Bas) to Port-Ainé, 210.9km
Stage four, Thursday March 22, Tremp to Ascó La vostra energia, 199km
Stage five, Friday March 23, Ascó La vostra energia to Manresa, 207.1km
Stage six, Saturday March 24, Sant Fruitós de Bages to Badalona Centre Comercial Màgic, 169.4km
Stage seven, Sunday March 25, Badalona Centre Comercial Màgic to Barcelona (Sarrià), 119.8km
Tour of Catalonia 2012: Latest news
Azevedo on Catalonia chaos: 'it's war out there'
Tour of Catalonia 2012: Stage reports
Stage seven: Albasini claims biggest career win
Stage six: Sanchez outwits sprinters
Stage five: Simon pips Uran to stage win, Albasini holds on
Stage four: Uran takes Tour of Catalonia stage for Sky
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
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