Here’s a new race for you, devoted readers. Okay, not really – it’s actually the oldest stage race in Spain and the 4th oldest in the world, having had its first run in 1911. I speak of the Volta a Catalunya, a week-long race that does circles of the Spanish autonomous community of, you guessed it, Catalonia (where Barcelona lives).

It is also a major stage race with some big names taking part, but since it coincides with the beginning of the Spring Classics season, it nearly got under my radar. For me, other than the enticing fact that the race is more or less on my doorstep, I’m looking forward to seeing what Bradley Wiggins and Ryder Hesjedal have been doing in the shadows over the winter and spring. Both have the Giro d’Italia as their main objective of the year, as well, so it could, maybe, be a foreshadowing of what we may see come May.

Sorry, no route map because the official site is down right now. The race runs from tomorrow, March 18th till next Sunday, the 24th.