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 Volta a Catalunya 2024: Schultz outguns Pogacar on uphill finish
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 2: Mataró – Vallter 2000
Volta a Catalunya 2024: Riders
Volta a Catalunya 2024: GC Favourites
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 3: Sant Joan de les Abadesses – Port Ainé
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 4: Sort – Lleida
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 5: Altafulla – Viladecans
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 6: Berga – Queralt
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 7: Barcelona – Barcelona
E3 Saxo Classic 2024: The Route
E3 Saxo Classic 2024: Riders
Gent - Wevelgem 2024: The Route
Gent – Wevelgem 2024: Riders
Gent - Wevelgem 2024 - women: Route
Dwars door Vlaanderen 2024: The Route
Dwars door Vlaanderen 2024: Riders
Tour of Flanders 2024: The Route
Tour of Flanders 2024: Riders
Cycling Calendar 2024
Tour de France 2024: The Route
Tour de France 2024: Riders
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 1: Florence - Rimini
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 20: Nice - Col de la Couillole
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 21: Monaco - Nice
Giro 2024: The Route
Giro 2024: Riders
Giro 2024 Route stage 1: Turin - Turin
Vuelta 2024: The Route
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!