167 kilometers around the city of Calella. With this menu plan, the Tour of Catalonia, one of the few remaining stage races in Spain, started today. And already on the first stage, a few meters of altitude had to be covered. So it's hardly surprising that a few fast-paced classic specialists were at the top in the finale. In a gripping sprint, Luka Mezgec (Giant-Shimano) showed the greatest staying power. The Slovenian had already won the Handzame Classic one-day race last week.
Second place went to the Australian Leigh Howard (Orica-GreenEdge), who looked like the sure winner until a few meters before the finish line. Third went to Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), who denied Rostock's Paul Martens (Belkin) his first podium finish of the year.
The group of the day was made up of Romain Lemarchand (Cofidis) and Boris Vallée (Lotto Belisol), but at no point in the race did their escape seem promising.
Result
1. Luka Mezgec (Giant Shimano) 4:09:13
2. Leigh Howard (Orica GreenEdge) 0:00:00
3. Julian Alaphilippe (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) 0:00:00
4. Paul Martens (Belkin) 0:00:00
5. Tosh van der Sande (Lotto Belisol) 0:00:00
total
1. Luka Mezgec (Giant Shimano) 4:09:13
2. Leigh Howard (Orica GreenEdge) 0:00:00
3. Julian Alaphilippe (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) 0:00:00
4. Paul Martens (Belkin) 0:00:00
5. Tosh van der Sande (Lotto Belisol) 0:00:00