Cycling: Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) seems to be in excellent early form. The Spaniard won the Tour of Murcia a few days ago with a solo over 70 kilometers. Also today he was unstoppable at the start of the Vuelta a Andalucia. In Granada he arrived at the same time as five other drivers, but as usual he was the strongest sprinter. He distanced Wout Poels (Sky) and the Swiss Sébastien Reichenbach (FDJ) to the places.
Valverde can't be beat in the sprint
He's struck again! Even at the age of 36, Alejandro Valverde is in his usual early form at the start of the season. After his impressive victory in the Tour of Murcia a few days ago, he left his opponents behind again today. He was already able to take five seconds off strong class drivers such as Warren Barguil (Sunweb), Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac), Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and Mikel Landa (Sky). Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) finished sixth in the stage just about the same time. Sébastien Reichenbach from Switzerland also put in a strong performance and is now in a good starting position with third place. The opponents didn't really make it difficult for Valverde. Instead of tiring it out with lots of attacks just before the finish, they went for a sprint. However, they should have known that they would have no chance against Valverde in this one.
Tomorrow already the decisive stage
By Sunday the drivers will have covered the total of 676,8 kilometers through Andalusia. The five-day stage race will be held for the 63rd time this season. To the delight of the organizers, it was upgraded to category 2.HC by the UCI. But in previous years, the Vuelta a Andalucia was able to welcome very prominent teams and drivers to the start. In the past five years, Chris Froome has won once and Alejandro Valverde four times. After today's opening win, the Spaniard has the best chance of winning the general classification again. Tomorrow there will be a crucial mountain finish in Mancha Real up to the Peña del Aguila. The 5,3-kilometer final ascent has an average gradient of 9,2 percent. The day after there is an individual time trial before two less difficult stages will complete the tour.