Ruta del Sol 2023: Pogacar powers into leaders jersey on day one

Ruta del Sol 2023: Pogacar powers into leader’s jersey on day one

image: Cor VosTadej Pogacar attacks in the last climb of the Queen Stage of the Ruta del Sol. On descent he stays well ahead of the first chasers, Carlos Rodriguez, Mikel Landa and Santiago Buitrago, to take both the stage win and leader's jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage 2023 Ruta del Sol

1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.38
3. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) s.t.
4. Santiago Buitrago (col) s.t.
5. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr) + 1.38
6. Pavel Sivakov (fra) + 1.39
7. Damiano Caruso (ita) s.t.
8. Enric Mas (spa) s.t.
9. Jack Haig (aus) s.t.
10. Jeffferson Cepeda (ecu) + 1.41

GC after stage 1
1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.38
3. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) s.t.
4. Santiago Buitrago (col) s.t.
5. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr) + 1.38
6. Pavel Sivakov (fra) + 1.39
7. Damiano Caruso (ita) s.t.
8. Enric Mas (spa) s.t.
9. Jack Haig (aus) s.t.
10. Jeffferson Cepeda (ecu) + 1.41

Race report
Alex Martín, Gotzon Martín, Clément Alleno and Aaron Van Poucke open up a small gap at kilometre 10. Which the four gradually widen to 3 minutes. That’s all they get.

The two Martíns head out togeter on the Garganta de Hornos, while Omar Fraile attacks from the peloton. The Spaniard rejoins his compatriots and they push on together. The three reach the summit 45 seconds ahead of the peloton.

The break is caught just before the last climb of the day, while Pogacar and Buitrago attack from the peloton halfway up the Despiernacaballos Pass. Pogacar gives it another go and he is alone. Landa, Mas and Rodriguez regain contact with Buitrago before drops back due to a mechanical in the last 2 kilometres. He winds up in a group with Geoghegan Hart, Sivakov and Haig.

Pogacar crests the Despiernacaballos 45 seconds ahead of the first chasers. His victory is never endangered on descent and he wins the stage to take the GC lead. Landa outsprints Rodriguez for second place.

Another interesting read: route 1st 2023 Ruta del Sol.