In the week in which the Northern classics start to get serious, the fantasy managers will also have to prepare a good team for the Volta a Catalunya , a short stage race that starts tomorrow, Monday 20 March, and which will end next Sunday.

A challenging course with three uphill finishes, three intermediate stages and the classic arrival in Barcelona with the dreaded Montjuic circuit. There is good terrain for climbers and breakaways while there will be very few, if any, opportunities for fast wheels.

There is a lot of anticipation to watch the clash between   Primoz Roglic , recent winner of the Tirreno-Adriatico, e   Remco Evenepoel , first in the Uae Tour, who will do the dress rehearsals for the next Giro d'Italia. The Slovenian will have at his side, among others, the loyal wingman Sepp Kuss and the Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk while the Belgian will be able to count on Ian Hirt and the Italian duo Fausto Masnada and Mattia Cattaneo.

There are other interesting riders at the start: above all the Uae Emirates duo formed by   Joao Almeida and Adam Yates , with the support of Marc Soler, and the trio Bahrain Victorious composed of   Mikel Landa, Gino Mader and Jack Haig .

Ineos Grenadiers should bet on   Geraint Thomas   but the conditions of the Welshman, who doesn't race from Down Under, are a mystery. Speaking of uncertainty, to be checked too   Egan Bernal , who comes back after San Juan and a knee problem that we hope he has overcome. He also returns to Catalunya   Ethan Hayter   after clavicle surgery.

No Catalunya instead for Enric Mas: Movistar will focus on stage victories by looking at the standings with   Einer Rubio . The unknown is also on the way   Ivan Ramiro Sosa .

To the list of those who can do well in this race we add the Olympic champion   Richard Carapaz   in the Ef jersey, second here last year, and his teammates   Rigoberto Uran and Esteban Chaves, Jay Hindley   of the Bora,   Guillaume Martin   of the Cofidis,   Romain Bardet   of the DSM,   Ben O'Connor   of the Ag2R,   Michael Woods   of Israel,   Louis Meintjes   of the Intermarché and ours   Julius Ciccone   of Trek Segafredo.

We mentioned the rare opportunities for sprinters: if you want (and can) line up some of them, we'll mention you   Kaden Groves   of the Alpecin,   Bryan Coquard   of the Cofidis,   Corbin Strong   of Israel e   Milan Menten   of the Lotto.

Article on participants being updated.

Photo Sprint Cycling

Stage 1 Sant Feliu de Guíxols – Sant Feliu de Guíxols (164.6 km)

Stage 2 Mataró – Vallter / Setcases (165.4km)

Stage 3 Olost – La Molina (180.6 km)

Stage 4 Llívia – Sabadell (188.2 km)

Stage 5 Tortosa – Lo Port (176.6km)

Stage 6 Martorell – Molins de Rei (183.2km)

Stage 7 Barcelona – Barcelona (135.8 km)