Juan José Lobato (Movistar) claimed the opening stage of this year’s Vuelta a Burgos, after initiating a solo attack during the waning moments of today’s stage.
The Spanish rider emerged victorious, after making his winning move from amongst a lead group of 15 riders – during the final 100 meters
Race Highlights
Today’s 143 kilometer stage, which started and ended in Burgos, saw a breakaway group containing Luis Mas Bonet (Caja Rural), Mirko Tedeschi (Neri Sottoli), Ibai Salas (Burgos-BH), and Victor Etxebarria (Euskadi), get underway after just 4 kilometers of racing. And, at one point, the escapees built up a sizable advantage of 3 minutes over the peloton.
However, by the time the race reached the midway point, the peloton had succeeded in reducing their lead substantially. And, as they entered into the final 30 kilometers, the gap had been further reduced to just 1 minute.
From there, the breakaway group splintered, leaving just Bonet and Tedeschi out front alone.
However, shortly thereafter, both riders were reeled in by the peloton, as the race entered into the final 11 kilometers. And, it was then that Sébastien Turgot (AG2R La Mondiale) initiated an attack of his own, that was quickly matched by Paolo Tiralongo (Astana).
With 7.6 kilometers remaining, the two riders continued to hold a slight lead of 5 seconds over the chase.
However, with the peloton close behind, Tiralongo decided to jettison his breakaway companion, and make a go of it alone. He was quickly followed by Javier Aramendia (Caja Rural), who emerged from the chase to join him.
With 4 kilometers remaining, Giorgio Cecchinel (Neri Sottoli) was the next rider to bridge himself to the leaders. But, just a half kilometer later, Aramendia attacked, with only Tiralongo able to follow, while Cecchinel was reclaimed by the chase.
However, despite their best efforts, the two leaders were caught in the final kilometer. as the race headed into Castillo.
From there, Team Katusha took up the pace setting for most of the final kilometer, while the peloton quickly dwindled to just 15 riders.
After timing his surge to perfection, Lobato made his way clear during last series of steep rises, as he swung around the final corner – to seize the stage victory.
Meanwhile, Daniel Moreno (Katusha) finished second in place, followed by Giant-Shimano’s Thomas Damuseau in third.
The Vuelta a Burgos continues tomorrow with a 152 kilometer stage from Briviesca to Villadiego.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA0uyHeSdKw
Stage 1 Results
ESP 1 LOBATO DEL VALLE, Juan Jose (MOVISTAR) 3:29:37 ESP 2 MORENO FERNANDEZ, Daniel (KATUSHA) FRA 3 DAMUSEAU, Thomas (GIANT-SHIMANO) + 3 FRA 4 MONDORY, Lloyd (AG2R LA MONDIALE) SUI 5 FUMEAUX, Jonathan (IAM CYCLING) ITA 6 NOCENTINI, Rinaldo (AG2R LA MONDIALE) + 5 NED 7 OLIVIER, Daan (GIANT-SHIMANO) ESP 8 TXURRUKA, Amets (CAJA RURAL – SEGUROS RGA) UZB 9 LAGUTIN, Sergey (RUSVELO) SWE 10 KESSIAKOFF, Fredrik Carl Wilhelm (ASTANA) COL 11 QUINTANA ROJAS, Nairo Alexander (MOVISTAR) ESP 12 BARBERO CUESTA, Carlos (EUSKADI) ITA 13 AGNOLI, Valerio (ASTANA) + 9 ESP 14 BELDA GARCIA, David (BURGOS-BH) BRA 15 ANDRIATO, Rafael (NERI SOTTOLI)
General Classification after Stage 1 ESP 1 LOBATO DEL VALLE, Juan Jose (MOVISTAR) 0
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