Ruta del Sol 2016: Daniele Bennati sprints to glory in stage 1

The 1st stage of the Ruta del Sol leads to Seville. Four escapees hold their ground deep into the finale, but with 2 kilometres left they are brought back. Daniele Bennati outsprints each and everyone and powers to the first leaders jersey in the 2016 Ruta del Sol. Bert Van Lerberghe and José Juan Lobato are second and third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Ruta del Sol

1. Daniele Bennati (ita)
2. Bert Van Lerberghe (bel) s.t.
3. Juan José Lobato (spa) s.t.
4. Oscar Gatto (ita) s.t.
5. Gijs Van Hoecke (bel) s.t.
6. Nacer Bouhanni (fra) s.t.
7. Reto Hollenstein (swi) s.t.
8. Raymond Kreder (nld) s.t.
9. Tosh Van der Sande (bel) s.t.
10. David Tanner (aus) s.t.

GC after 1st stage
1. Daniele Bennati (ita)
2. Bert Van Lerberghe (bel) s.t.
3. Juan José Lobato (spa) s.t.
4. Oscar Gatto (ita) s.t.
5. Gijs Van Hoecke (bel) s.t.
6. Nacer Bouhanni (fra) s.t.
7. Reto Hollenstein (swi) s.t.
8. Raymond Kreder (nld) s.t.
9. Tosh Van der Sande (bel) s.t.
10. David Tanner (aus) s.t.

Race report
After a nervous and fast start in Andalucia Marcin Mrozek, Jerome Baugnies, Evgeny Shalunov en Imanol Estevez break clear to race to a maximum gain of around 8 minutes.

For a moment it gets close, but eventually the escapees are gobbled up wit 2 kms left.

In the streets of Seville Daniele Bennati shows he still is a Masters of the Art. With conviction he powers to his first sprint victory since the 2012 Vuelta.