Volta Comunitat Valenciana 2024

European stage racing gets underway in Spain with Jai Hindley and Matej Mohorič on the startlist

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Volta Comunitat Valenciana

Dates 31 Jan - 4 Feb
Race Length 744 kms
Race Category Elite Men

Published: January 29, 2024

Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2024 overview

The Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, which takes place from 31 January 31 to 4 February, is the first big European stage race of the season, and often the debut race for many climbers and GC riders in the peloton. Based around the Valencia region in Spain, the race is hilly and punchy, and offers riders the chance to test their legs ahead of the bigger stage racing goals of the season.

Though it’s early in the season, this race always boasts a strong line-up and a competitive few days of racing. The list of previous overall winners here is star-studded, featuring the likes of Tadej Pogačar and Aleksandr Vlasov in recent years, as well as Alejandro Valverde and Bernard Hinault further back.

This year, the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana has attracted the likes of Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe), Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) and Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious), whilst Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) will make their debuts for their new teams down in Valencia.

The course only has one uphill finish, but there’s plenty of climbing across the five stages, as well as chances for the punchier riders, in what should be an interesting curtain-raiser on the Costa Blanca.

Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2024 key information

When is the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2024? The 2024 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana will start on Wednesday, 31 January and finish on Sunday, 4 February.

Where does the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2024 take place? As the name suggests, the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana takes place around the city and region of Valencia on the Costa Blanca.

Who won the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in 2023? The 2023 edition of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana was won by Rui Costa (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), who won the final stage to seal the overall title.

When did Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana start? The Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana is one of the oldest races on the calendar, having been first held in 1929 as the Vuelta a Levante. The first edition was won by Salvador Cardona.

Who has the most wins at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana? The rider with the most overall titles at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana is Alejandro Valverde, who has won the race three times. Alessandro Petacchi holds the title for most stage wins, with 11.

Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2024 route: medium climbing but in large doses

The route map of the 2024 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana

The 2024 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana kicks off in Benicássim for stage 1, with 760km and over 10,000m of climbing on the way to the end of stage 5 in Valencia. Whilst the route isn’t mountainous, the course is packed full of medium climbing, with multiple categorised and uncategorised rises on each stage.

A couple of stages could lend themselves to sprints of sorts, or at least chances for the non-climbers of the peloton. Stages 3 and 5 both finish on the flat, with the climbs sufficiently far away from the line that the fast riders should get their chances on these days.

Stage 1 and 2 are somewhat in-between days, both featuring significant climbs in the final 20km and then flat finishes, meaning it will be a question of how they are raced. Climbing sprinters like Michael Matthews may be able to get over the rises and make it to the line, but equally some spirited climbers could certainly make use of these stages.

The undisputed Queen stage of the race comes on stage 4, with a daunting profile that packs in 3,642m of climbing, and features the only uphill finish of the race. There are five categorised climbs on the route between Teulada and Moraira on the coast, but plenty more uncategorised ramps, including some stinging, steep sections in the final 20km. After a short descent, the road kicks up sharply towards the finish line, with a 1.9km stretch at 7.4% completing the stage. Consistency throughout the week will be important, but this stage is likely to be the one that decides the overall.

Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2024 contenders

Though the very biggest names may be missing, the 2024 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana start list still boasts a host of stars, both GC riders and puncheurs alike.

The strongest team in the race looks to be Bora-Hansgrohe, who have the trio of Jai Hindley, Aleksandr Vlasov and Lennard Kämna who could all be in the frame on the harder stages. Hindley will likely be the nominated leader, but Vlasov has been riding well in Mallorca, and Kämna is never a rider to look past in punchy races like this.

Bahrain-Victorious are also bringing a host of options, with Pello Bilbao, Matej Mohorič and Santiago Buitrago all lining up in Valencia. Brandon McNulty and Pavel Sivakov both look like strong contenders for UAE Team Emirates, whilst the likes of Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla), Einar Rubio (Movistar) and Patrick Konrad (Lidl-Trek) could also be outside hopes.

In terms of the puncheurs or contenders for the flatter stages, Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla) likely tops the list of favourites, but he’ll be up against Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) on the properly flat finishes, as well as Mike Teunissen (Intermarché-Wanty).

Riders to watch at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana

Which teams are racing the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2024?

As a 2.Pro race, the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana does not attract the full WorldTour line-up, but still draws in many top teams every year. This year, there are seven WorldTeams, nine ProTeams and three Continental teams on the start list.