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.