García Pierna wins the first stage of Movistar and Evenepoel takes the overall of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana

The 2026 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana concluded in Valencia with the victorious debut of Raúl García Pierna with Movistar Team and the confirmation of Remco Evenepoel's dominance, who secured the overall classification without any surprises in the fifth and final stage.

Raúl García Pierna gives Movistar the first victory of the year in Valencia and Evenepoel takes the overall

The cyclist from Madrid was the fastest in the sprint of a high-level breakaway that managed to reach the capital of Turia with a slim lead over the peloton. With this victory, García Pierna secured his first win with Movistar and ended a streak of several months without raising his arms for Movistar, which had not won since June 2025.

The final day, despite its short distance of just 95 kilometers, did not offer a simple script. After overcoming the traditional pass through l'Oronet, the peloton faced the ascent to Garbí, a climb tough enough to break the race despite being far from the finish. There, the decisive breakaway formed, with García Pierna as one of the most active riders.

The Movistar rider stretched the selection on the hardest section of the climb and even tried his luck solo, before a reduced group of nine riders consolidated the breakaway. Among them, the young Adrià Pericas also stood out, while behind, the UAE Team Emirates maintained control to avoid any surprises that could jeopardize Evenepoel's leadership.

RAULITO OF MY LIFE 

Raúl García Pierna achieves his first victory with the @Movistar_Team in the last stage of the @VueltaCV from the breakaway. Remco Evenepoel conquers the overall classification.

You saw it on @Eurosport_ES and @StreamMaxES. #VCV26 pic.twitter.com/0vCNcAlG0U

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) February 8, 2026

Once in the streets of Valencia, the breakaway riders resisted the final push of the peloton and fought for victory in the sprint. García Pierna imposed his speed to surpass the German Emil Herzog and cross the finish line in first position.

Evenepoel, without risks and with the overall secured

While the stage was resolved ahead, Evenepoel managed the final day without difficulties. The Belgian, leader since the decisive mountain stages, did not take unnecessary risks and closed the Volta Valenciana with authority, thus adding his first overall stage classification of the season.

The Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe rider confirmed his great start to the season, with several stage wins already in his pocket, and left a solid impression before facing his upcoming calendar objectives.

Results – Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2026

5th stage

1. Raúl García Pierna (Movistar Team)
2. Emil Herzog (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe) +00’’
3. Jasper Schoofs (Soudal) +00’’
4. Adrià Pericas (UAE Team Emirates) +00’’
5. Diego Uriarte (Kern Pharma) +00’’

Final overall classification

1. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe) – 13h 10:13
2. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) at 31’’
3. Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe) at 34’’
4. Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) at 36’’
5. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) at 50’’
6. Iván Romeo (Movistar Team) at 2:20