Tour de Romandie 2017: Sprint victory Albasini, Felline retains lead

In theory, stage 1 in the Tour de Romandie is a mountainous affair. Altough the route takes in five climbs, the race comes down to a bunch sprint in Champéry. Albasini outsprints Ulissi, while Felline holds on to the leader's jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Tour de Romandie

1. Michael Albasini (swi)
2. Diego Ulissi (ita) s.t.
3. Jesus Herrada (spa) s.t.
4. Natnael Berhane (eri) s.t.
5. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
6. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.
7. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
8. David de la Cruz (spa) s.t.
9. Richard Carapaz (ecu) s.t.
10. Pierre Latour (fra) s.t.

GC after 1st stage
1. Fabio Felline (ita)
2. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) + 0.08
3. Jesus Herrada (spa) s.t.
4. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 0.09
5. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 0.12
6. Bob Jungels (lux) s.t.
7. José Goncalves (por) + 0.13
8. Ruben Fernandez (spa) s.t.
9. Michael Albasini (swi) + 0.14
10. Jonathan Castroviejo (spa) s.t.

12. Jarlinson Pantano (col) + 0.15
14. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.16
16. Simon Yates (gbr) + 0.18
23. Robert Gesink (nld) + 0.20
26. Simon Spilak (slo) + 0.23
29. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 0.24
43. Warren Barguil (fra) + 0.25
37. Sebastien Reichenbach (swi) + 0.28
39. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.29
43. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 0.30
49. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.33
52. Tejay van Garderen (usa) + 0.34
57. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 0.42

Race report
It’s cold and rainy when the flag drops and Marco Minnaard and Sander Armée jump clear without delay. Burghardt, Mamikin, Troia and Debesay chase them down, while is Troia is dropped later on. With five they race to a lead of more than 7 minutes.

The winner of last year’s KOM competition in the Tour of Romandie, Sander Armée, is the first to crest three out of four intermediate climbs, therefore he takes the KOM lead.

When Burghardt can’t follow the pace with 90 kms remaining, the four remaining leaders widen the gap to more than 8 minutes before it goes back down again. On the closing climb they are reeled in.

Attacks by Gesink and Kreuziger and a host of other riders are neutralized. The climb up to Champéry is simply not steep enough to make a difference.

In the ensuing sprint Michael Albasini turns out on top, besting Diego Ulissia and Jesus Herrada with a comfortable margin.

Check out the route of the 1st stage in the 2017 Tour de Romandie.