Tour of the Basque Country 2015: Matthews takes stage 1 and GC-lead
Stage 1 in the Tour of the Basque Country is a 162.7 kilometres ride featuring three climbs. At the closing climb the break is brought back and the race heads for a bunch sprint in the streets of Bilbao. Michael Matthews powers to a glorious win, Kwiatkowski is second. The Australian is the first leader in the Basque Country. (Slideshow route/profile)
Tour of the Basque Country 2015: Race results stage 1
1. Michael Matthews (aus)
2. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.
3. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) s.t.
4. Kevin Reza (fra) s.t.
5. Tony Gallopin (fra) s.t.
6. Julien Simon (fra) s.t.
7. Fabio Felline (fra) s.t.
8. Valerio Agnoli (ita) s.t.
9. Petr Vakoc (cze) s.t.
10. Daniel Moreno (spa) s.t.
GC after stage 1
1. Michael Matthews (aus)
2. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.
3. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) s.t.
4. Kevin Reza (fra) s.t.
5. Tony Gallopin (fra) s.t.
6. Julien Simon (fra) s.t.
7. Fabio Felline (fra) s.t.
8. Valerio Agnoli (ita) s.t.
9. Petr Vakoc (cze) s.t.
10. Daniel Moreno (spa) s.t.
Race report
Shortly after the official start near the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao Brian Bulgaç, Omar Fraille and Anthony Turgis jump of the front of the peloton and in no time they race to a 6’35” gain. Then the pack takes control and the reeling in starts slowly yet deliberately.
With 50 km’s to go Brian Bulgac is dropped and 5 km’s down the road it’s end of story for Turgis also.
Fraille is brought back at the closing climb when Vuilhermoz, Arredondo and Wellens attack, but they can’t force a break. With a pack of around 60 riders the hill is crested.
A bunch sprint is inevitable and Michael Matthews is fastest. By far.
Tour of the Basque Country 2015 stage 1
Click on the images to zoom
Michael Matthews
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Favourites - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Overview - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Dumoulin wins stage, Purito takes overall - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Landa wins after super-steep finale - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Rodríguez again, Henao still leader - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Purito bests Henao and Quintana, Henao new leader - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Fabio Felline outsprints Michael Matthews - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Route stage 2: Bilbao – Vitoria-Gasteiz - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Route stage 3: Vitoria-Gasteiz – Zumarraga - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Route stage 4: Zumarraga – Arrate (Eibar) - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Route stage 5: Eibar - Aia - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 Route stage 6: ITT Aia - Aia - Tour of the Basque Country 2015 More articles Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne 2021: Pedersen sprints to glory
Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne 2021: The Route
Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne 2021: Riders
Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne: Winners and records
Strade Bianche 2021: The Route
Strade Bianche 2021: Riders
Strade Bianche 2021: Favourites
Strade Bianche: Winners and records
Strade Bianche 2021 - women: The Route
Paris-Nice 2021: The Route
Paris-Nice 2021: Riders
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 1: Saint-Cyr-l'École - Saint-Cyr-l'École
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 2: Oinville-sur-Montcient - Amilly
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 3: Gien - Gien
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 4: Chalon-sur-Saône - Chiroubles
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 5: Vienne - Bollène
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 6: Brignoles - Biot
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 7: Nice - Valdeblore La Colmiane
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 8: Nice - Nice
Giro 2021: The Route
Paris - Nice 2021: Favourites
Tour de France 2021: The Route
Tour de France 2021: Riders
Cycling Calendar 2021
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!