In a way, the scenario is quite simple: Nairo Quintana (Alcare Sumsic) heads to the Volta a Catalunya in the Pyrenees on Wednesday looking to repeat his 2016 overall victory.

But in the face of a constant stream of talented new young racers who are now doing their best to push aside the old generation of stars, it is easier said than done for a now 30-something like Quintana to stay at the front of the pack.

But Quintana, who won the Catalan race six years ago, did just that in two early-season stage races in France, the Tour de la Provence and the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et Vales. And that was before she finished fifth in Paris-Nice two weeks earlier.

So what are his chances of winning in Catalunya, Cycling News asked the 32-year-old at the start of the second stage.

"You always start a race looking for the win," Quintana confirmed, "We're doing well as a team, and whatever happens, happens."

"But logically, stage 3 (to La Molina) will serve as a picture of what could happen in stage 4 (the queen stage to Boi Tauru).

"In any case, it's been a great start to the year. I feel strong and I have to make the most of this situation."

Quintana's devastating early-season re-start in 2020 was largely due to an injury- and accident-free winter in Colombia, where he trained hard.

And despite having rivals as strong as France's Paris-Nice, the Volta a Catalunya route is quite favorable for Colombian climbers, according to his Arkea Samsic team.

"The fact that there is no time trial means he won't lose time there," Yvon Ledanois, sport director of Arkea Samsic, told Cycling News.

"So the key to victory will definitely be stages three and four."

"These are key moments for us as a team. Nairo is doing well and to finish fifth in Paris-Nice was a great result. Ineos looks very strong and Simon Yates (Bike Exchange-Jayco) will be a big challenge for the overall, but we want to achieve the same result here."

"Catalunya is very tough this year, but with Nairo, this is a great opportunity.

Quintana's climb in Catalunya will be tested after Wednesday. However, the Colombian proved that he is in perfect position, at least for the flat stages, as he was in the lead group of 46 when the peloton collapsed in a crosswind late in stage 2.

"Mission accomplished," Ledanois said at the post-stage press conference. "I wanted to make sure he didn't lose time on a windy stage, and he had a teammate in Nairo looking after him in the front group. It was a good strategy and it was a good job."

As for Wednesday's mountaintop finish, in 2016, the year he won La Molina, Quintana finished sixth, just nine seconds behind stage winner Dan Martin.

But that was just 24 hours before Porto Aine blew away the field with a more "classic" summit finish. From then on, Quintana continued to lead the race, eventually finishing seven seconds ahead of Alberto Contador.

If he succeeds again, it would be Quintana's first complete victory in a World Tour stage race since Tirreno-Adriatico in 2017. But after such a strong start to the season, it would not be surprising if Quintana turns the clock back a few years in the Pyrenees on Wednesday or Thursday.