Cort, 33 years old and boasting an impressive record of nine stage wins in Grand Tours, showcased his power in the final meters, out-sprinting Frenchman Noah Isidore and Italian Francesco Busato. This triumph marks his successful debut in the 105th edition of the Catalan race.
The 167.4-kilometer stage connected Figueres with Banyoles, featuring a profile largely favorable to sprinters, despite a challenging final section through the Garrotxa area. The sole categorized climb was the Alt del Purgatori, a third-category ascent.
An early breakaway, comprising five riders —Baptiste Beistrofer, Liam Slough, Julen Arrio-Lavengoa, Diego Uriarte, and Samuel Fernández— animated much of the stage. Fernández was recognized as the most combative rider of the day. The escapees were reeled in by the main peloton in the final kilometer, setting up a mass sprint finish in Banyoles, where Cort proved to be the strongest.
“"Four years after one of the most memorable stages of recent editions, with the climb of Richard Carapaz and Sergio Higuita in 2022, the Costa Daurada will once again showcase its cycling potential. The 159.5-kilometer route will feature the mountains of Prades and the Montsant mountain range as protagonists, with the demanding ascent to La Mussara, a first-category climb, as a key point. This is a route that can favor breakaway attempts before the arrival in Vila-seca, which had not hosted a stage finish since 2019."
The third stage, scheduled for this Wednesday, will traverse the Costa Daurada, starting in Mont-roig del Camp and finishing in Vila-seca. This day will include three significant mountain passes, which could potentially shake up the general classification. Godon and Cort will approach this stage tied at the top, with several favorites awaiting their opportunity. Thursday's fourth stage will depart from Mataró.
