Volta a Catalunya: Nairo Quintana clinches overall victory

Colombia's Nairo Quintana held off a series of attacks from his rivals on the final stage to secure his first Volta a Catalunya crown.

Quintana (Movistar) finished the stage seven seconds clear of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) in the general classification, which was largely unchanged from the previous stage after the overall contenders finished together.

Ireland's Dan Martin (Etixx - Quick-Step) came third on count-back, edging defending champion Richie Porte (BMC) into fourth, the pair finishing 17 seconds behind Quintana.

Quintana took the lead in Spain's oldest stage race at the end of the fourth stage at Port Aine and he never looked like losing that on Sunday.

Team Sky's Chris Froome had to settle for eighth place, with fellow Briton Hugh Carthy (Caja Rural) - in ninth - winning the award for best young rider.

Alexey Tsatevich (Katusha) and Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) battled for the stage honours, with the former edging it in a thrilling finish at the end of the 136km circuit around Barcelona's Montjuic area, the site of the 1992 Olympic Games. 

"There's a lot of emotion to have been able to beat my rivals. It gives me confidence that we are working well," said Quintana. "[But] I won the Tour of Catalonia by seven seconds, which isn't very much."

Stage six result:

1. Alexey Tsatevich (Rus/Katusha) 3:13:33"

2. Primoz Roglic (Slv/LottoNL) ST      

3. Jarlinson Pantano (Col/IAM Cycling) +14"    

4. Wout Poels (Ned/Team Sky) ST

5. Daryl Impey (SA/Orica)                 

6. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Cannondale)             

7. Rudy Molard (Fra/Cofidis)                     

8. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R)                      

9. Enrico Gasparotto (Ita/Wanty)                  

10. Carlos Barbero (Spa/Caja Rural)

General classification:

1. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) 30:50:19"

2. Alberto Contador (Spa/Tinkoff) 7"      

3. Daniel Martin (Ire/Etixx-Quick-Step) +17"     

4. Richie Porte (Aus/BMC Racing)  ST        

5. Tejay van Garderen (US /BMC Racing) +27"     

6. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +31"     

7. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/Katusha) +42"     

8. Chris Froome (Gbr/Team Sky) +46"     

9. Hugh Carthy (Gbr/Caja Rural) +1:01"   

10. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Cannondale) +1:16"