Primoz Roglic of Team Jumbo-Visma struck a major psychological blow in the lead-up to the Giro d'Italia by holding off his Quick Step rival Remco Evenepoel to win the 102nd edition of the Tour of Catalunya on Sunday.

Remco Evenepoel out-sprinted Primoz Roglic in the final drag to the peak at La Molina on Wednesday to win the third stage of the Volta a Catalunya but the Slovenian clung to the overall lead.

Giulio Ciccone won a tortuous, mountainous slog on stage two of the Volta a Catalunya on Tuesday just ahead Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel.

Colombian climber Egan Bernal returns to top level cycling heading the Ineos Grenadiers roster at a challenging Volta a Catalunya on Monday where he can measure his progress against the Belgian world champion Remco Evenepoel.

As road cycling's World Tour season shifts into gear at the Tour Down Under next week, we take a look at some of the issues and storylines expected to feature in the year ahead.

The Vuelta a España, a race that traditionally emphasizes climbing, will hit the slopes early and often in 2023, with 10 mountain-top finishes on the route unveiled in Barcelona on Tuesday.

The Vuelta a España will get underway in Barcelona for the first time in 60 years in 2023 with the first two stages raced in the Catalan capital, organizers announced on Tuesday.

Vuelta champion Remco Evenepoel was rewarded for a prolific season in the saddle by winning the coveted Vélo d'Or trophy on Thursday.

Belgium ace Remco Evenepoel backed up victory at the Vuelta a Espana by storming to the world road race title on Sunday with a spectacular solo ride to claim a first rainbow jersey, vowing "a big party" to celebrate.

Belgian Remco Evenepoel closed in on victory in the Vuelta a Espana after increasing his overall race lead by winning Thursday's 18th stage.

Defending champion Primoz Roglic suffered a nasty fall as Denmark's Mads Pedersen won stage 16 of the Vuelta a Espana at Tomares in Andalusia on Tuesday.

Belgian rookie Remco Evenepoel retained his lead but lost 48 seconds on key Vuelta a Espana rival Primoz Roglic on Saturday as Richard Carapaz bagged a gruelling stage win.

Australian Kaden Groves won a frantic sprint to take stage 11 of the Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday as Remco Evenepoel maintained his overall lead on a day dominated by further rider casualties.

Remco Evenepoel tightened his grip on the Vuelta a Espana lead on Sunday as stage nine ended on a steep incline where South African Louis Meintjes won from a breakaway.

Cycling's Vuelta a España embarks Friday with defending champion Primoz Roglic chasing an unprecedented fourth straight victory over a mountainous 3,280km route that begins, however, on the flatlands of the Netherlands.