Ruta del Sol 2020: Fugslang bests Landa to take race lead

The Ruta del Sol kicks off in style with a race for climbers. Mikel Landa and Jakob Fuglsang crest the last climb, Puerto de las Palomas, 53 seconds ahead of a chasing group. The Dane outguns the Basque on the uphill finish in Grazalema. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Ruta del Sol 2020

1. Jakob Fuglsang (den)
2. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.06
3. Dylan Teuns (bel) + 0.25
4. Jack Haig (aus) + 0.27
5. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.
6. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 0.30
7. Chris Harper (aus) + 0.54
8. David de la Cruz (spa) + 1.03
9. Harm Vanhoucke (bel) s.t.
10. Ruben Fernandez (spa) + 1.07

GC after stage 1
1. Jakob Fuglsang (den)
2. Mikel Landa (spa)+ 0.06
3. Dylan Teuns (bel) + 0.25
4. Jack Haig (aus) + 0.27
5. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.
6. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 0.30
7. Chris Harper (aus) + 0.54
8. David de la Cruz (spa) + 1.03
9. Harm Vanhoucke (bel) s.t.
10. Ruben Fernandez (spa) + 1.07

Race report
Eleven riders form the breakaway. On board are Goossens, Lammertink, Gougeard, Urbano, Nicolau, Arrieta, Sagastibeltza, Smit, Osorio, Moreno and Agirre.

With 45 kilometres out two men leave the others behind. Lammertink and Smit widen the gap to 3 minutes before Goossens makes it across. Four more men rejoin the lead group, but the peloton makes the catch before the final climb.

Loïc Vliegen attacks with 15 kilometres to go. The Belgian opens up a gap of 30 seconds and he is brought back after 4 kilometres. Mikel Landa takes over with Jakob Fuglsang on his wheel and they reach the peak 53 seconds ahead of a group of ten chasers.

The road kicks up in the last kilometre, which inspires Fugslang to drop Landa on a steep ramp with 150 metres out. He puts 6 seconds into the Basque, while Landa's teammate Dylan Teuns finishes in third, 25 seconds down on the title defending stage winner.

Anther interesting read: route 1st stage 2020 Ruta del Sol.