Ineos Grenadiers reveal phenomenally strong line-up for Volta a Catalunya
British team field seven of their strongest riders for week-long stage race
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Ineos Grenadiers have revealed their seven-man line-up for the upcoming Volta a Catalunya, and it looks like one of the strongest teams they could possibly have picked.
While there are only two Grand Tour winners amongst them - 2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas and 2019 Giro d'Italia winner Richard Carapaz - the entire team looks like one that could take to the start-line of the Tour.
Carapaz is potentially the team's designated leader, though Thomas, Adam Yates, or Richie Porte could all be challengers for the overall title in their own right. Carapaz makes his season debut at the Spanish race so his current form is yet unknown, while Thomas has completed three stage races already this year and looked to be improving during Tirreno-Adriatico last week. Adam Yates meanwhile flew out of the blocks on his Ineos Grenadiers debut, taking a second-place overall in the UAE Tour in February behind Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates). Porte has had a more difficult start to the season however, crashing out of Paris-Nice on stage one. The Australian is likely to be on domestique duties in Catalunya, having switched to the team in 2021 openly stating he will fill a role as a support rider in the mountains.
Joining that quartet of high-class stage racers is the two-time world time trial champion Rohan Dennis, five-time Spanish time trial champion Jonathan Castroviejo, and the team's leading road captain Luke Rowe.
If the British team are to take their first overall title of the 2021 season they'll have to beat some stiff competition. Adam Yates' brother Simon continues his mission towards the Giro d'Italia as he leads Team BikeExchange, while Ineos's former Grand Tour star Chris Froome will carry the mantle for Israel Start-Up Nation.
Elsewhere, former winner Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic) will be on the startline, as will other potential winners Jai Hindley (DSM), João Almeida (Deceuninck-Quick-Step), Hugh Carthy (EF Education-Nippo), and Wilco Kelderman (Bora-Hansgrohe), among others.
Jumbo-Visma also bring a formidable line-up to the race, with three potential winners in George Bennett, Steven Kruijswijk, and Sepp Kuss alongside a strong support team.
The race, defined by its plethora of climbing stages, kicks off in the mountains on the opening stage with three mountains over 178.4km. From there the GC riders will be continually tested, with an 18.5km time trial on stage two before two back-to-back summit finishes on stages three and four. The final big mountain stage comes on stage five before a flatter day on stage six. The race will conclude with its usual race around the hilly circuit on the streets of the Catalonian capital, Barcelona.
Ineos Grenadiers line-up for Volta a Catalunya 2021
Richard Carapaz
Jonathan Castroviejo
Rohan Dennis
Richie Porte
Geraint Thomas
Luke Rowe
Adam Yates
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
-
From false promises and heartbreak to hope - How Heidi Franz is bouncing back from the last-minute collapse of B&B Hotels
Mind games, false promises and a life left in limbo. How American Heidi Franz navigated the B&B Hotels demise and found a kickstart to her new European life
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Volta a la Communitat Valenciana: Biniam Girmay takes stage one sprint
It's another one in the bag for Intermarché-Circus-Wanty after Challenge Mallorca success
By James Shrubsall • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘Current WorldTour system is killing all the smaller teams,’ says Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
South African ex-Lotto Soudal rider fears more teams could find themselves in B & B Hotels-KTM situation if the system doesn’t change
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I know I can do it so I need to make that next level': Ben Turner signs Ineos Grenadiers contract extension
The Classics and another Grand Tour are on the agenda for Doncaster's Big Ben
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published