Stage 1 and we have the first real difficulty og the Mini Man Game. Even though it`s still ~40km from the last hill to the finish, we have 3 very tough climbs before, which could be used for an attack.
Depending on the group size that comes over the final climb, it can end several ways, so it`s almost impossible to mention a top favourite here.
But surely the stage can be a first sign of who might win the GC in the end. No climber is allowed to lose much time today.
We have 4 riders in todays breakaway and seeing those names makes it a very interesting group.
Andreas Matzbacher
Kalev
Martin Mata Cabello
Eroski
Florian Bissinger
LKT
Aleksandr Arekejev
Katusha
In especially Matzbacher, who is one of the best climbers in this field can`t be allowed a big gap as an successful breakaway would give him the no.1 favourite spot. Also Bissinger belongs to the good puncheurs and knows how to ride on these type of stages.
The pace behind is not very high and the gap grows. It`s Miche, Millenium and KazMunayGas doign the early pace. All of them have strong GC contender but it`s a bit surprising to see Borghesi working for Miche as he might be a good rider for the 3 flat stages and should save some energy.
Sprint 1 and Mata Cabello just wins ahead of Bissinger. Matzbacher in 3rd takes the first bonus seconds.
We directly jump to the 2nd sprint, where Bissinger takes it ahead of Mata and Arekejev.
This was just before the first climb, where the gap is at 6min with 77km to go.
KazMunayGas took over here completely and higher the pace a bit. Not a surprise really as they have good leaders in Saeidi Tanha and Dyadichkin.
But nevertheless the breakaway easily comes first at the top of the Cat.2 climb, where Matzbacher plays out his climbing advantage and wins the KoM with Bissinger, Mata and Arekejev following.
Bajadali (7-Eleven) rides out of the peloton to take the last point, but then he isn`t waiting but instead trying to join the group.
Even though he is not the strongest climber here, he should be watched.
60km to go and it`s 2min to Bajadali and another 2min for the breakaway. Time for iBanesto to higher the pace another time. With Luis Angel Mate they have one of the best puncheurs here, who might have to gain time to have GC chances as he might lose a bit again on the mountain.
We also see some splits here and surprisingly some of the GC riders are caught behind trying to fight back.
Sabido (Millenium) is just a bit behind, but Dyadichkin and Saeidi Tanha (KazMunayGas) are even bit further behind.
So those teams, that did the early work forgot to be concentrated in the more important sections...
But luckily for those, they are able to make it back to the peloton a few kilometers later. But they have to be more concentrated on the remaining two climbs.
Strong performance by Bajadali as he joins the breakaway with 58km to go and still having a 4min gap.
Millenium is back at the front, which means that Sabido is probably not feeling bad and just had a bad moment. So hopefully he is better placed now.
Cat.1 climb and Bajadali takes the max points here ahead of Mata with Matzbacher only coming in 3rd. Arekejev in 4th with Bissinger (5th) already having a bigger gap to the rest.
And the next attack. Downhill attack by Nathan Earle (Commonwealth).
But he is caught when it goes uphill again. Last climb of the day and the 4 breakaway riders (Bissinger also caught) have a 1min gap. This might be too less.
Right on top of the climb we have the first attacks. Not 100% sure if it was for the KoM points or a GC attack. But nevertheless we have some riders being ahead of the peloton.
Bajadali was clearly the strongest in the end and also takes this KoM ahead of the attacking Cohnen (Rucanor) and Montiel (Coldeportes) with Mata and Matzbacher still going strong and collect a few more points.
Let`s have a closer look on the actual racing. Who attacked recently?
Peloton (76)
<39>
Arekejev
<21>
Earle
<28>
Montiel
<50>
Bajadali
Remme
Cohnen
Matzbacher
Mata Cabello
Sarabia
Despite the mentioned riders it`s also Remme (Zoegas) and Sarabia (America). Last one is a bit surprising as he isn`t known as real climber or puncheur, but obviously having a good day.
Also Earle did it another try but couldn`t join completely yet.
10km to go and we have a new rider in the group.
Bakke (Standard Bank) with a huge effort on the downhill joining solo.
Therefore Earle and Arekejev have been caught which makes it a group of 7 being 1'30!!! ahead of the peloton and only 23s behind Bajadali.
6km to go and Bajadali`s solo effort isn`t rewarded as he is caught now by the group making it 8 riders having a 1'36 gap.
The peloton isn`t able to catch those as the attackers still working very well together.
Montiel in a bad position leading out the rest.
Sarabia in 2nd and Remme in 3rd with a very good position. Bakke, Cohnen, Mata, Bajadali and Matzbacher in the last spots. Either tactic or they are just too exhausted.
Also the peloton was able to gain a few seconds back and is down to 56s but no question we will have a winner out of this group and most likely also a gap.
Bakke left the "train" first with Cohnen following. Sarabia still stays behind Montiel, while Remme and Bajadali seem to struggle to hold the pace.
Unlucky Mata and Matzbacher have to pay for their effort today and are dropped trying to avoid the fusion with the peloton.
Last kilometer and Sarabia comes strong to the front. He might be the best sprinter but after the hills he should be more exhausted.
Well. Obviously not. Easily he wins the 1st stage and takes the GC lead.
The others can be happy that this gap wasn`t counted actually. Bakke in 2nd ahead of Cohnen and Montiel. Bajadali in 5th and Remme in 6th are the lucky six, that gained time today. But how much?
Hugo Sabido leads the peloton and the gap went down a bit more but still stops at 46s, which is not less. This will definitely make the next stages and in especially the mountain stage more interesting.
Deroo in 8th, a strong De Ketele in 9th and Delgado Rubio as 10th today.
GC wise also the breakaway riders Matzbacher, Mata Cabello and Bissinger are found in the top10 due to their bonus seconds today.
And we also have the first 4 abandons!
Last (Node 4)
Mouris (Rucanor)
Te Brake (Van Merksteijn)
Golovash (Katusha)
