Tour of the Basque Country 2016: Stage 1 - Luis León Sánchez wins after perfect descent

The 1st stage of the Tour of the Basque Country brings eight hills, while the last one is crested with 8 kilometres remaining. Just under the top the race exploded and Daniel Navarro is the first to plunge down. Luis León Sánchez joins him and outsprints his compatriot on the line. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Tour of the Basque Country

1. Luis León Sánchez (spa)
2. Daniel Navarro (spa) s.t.
3. Simon Gerrans (aus) s.t.
4. Fabio Felline (ita) s.t.
5. Simon Clarke (aus) s.t.
6. Jan Bakelants (bel) s.t.
7. Daniel Martin (irl) s.t.
8. Warren Barguil (fra) s.t.
9. Tony Gallopin (fra) s.t.
10. Ikya Chernetski (rus) s.t.

24. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.
26. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
27. Robert Gesink (nld) s.t.
28. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
43. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.

GC after stage 1
1. Luis León Sánchez (spa)
2. Daniel Navarro (spa)
3. Simon Gerrans (aus)
4. Fabio Felline (ita)
5. Simon Clarke (aus)
6. Jan Bakelants (bel)
7. Daniel Martin (irl)
8. Warren Barguil (fra)
9. Tony Gallopin (fra)
10. Ikya Chernetski (rus)

Race report
In rainy conditions Brambilla, Wyss (Marcel), Lastra and Edet jump and they race to a 3’10” lead. Then the pack takes control to bring the lead down to 2 minutes.

Until the penultimate climb, Alto de Ixua, the leaders are a on a leash. At the lower slopes Cataldo heads to the front of the race. Once atop he enjoys a 0’20” lead over a chasing group featuring Deignan and Kelderman with the peloton a few more seconds adrift.

Cataldo hits the last climb with a half a minute gain and he is brought back in the last kilometre when Gesink attacks. Navarro takes over and the Spaniard is the first to plunge down, while Luis León Sánchez joins him in the descent.

Good cooperation between the two Spaniards results in a sprint-a-deux that’s won by Sánchez with the chasing peloton just metres behind.