Tour of the Basque Country 2017: Michael Matthews sprints to victory and leaders jersey

At 153.5 kilometres, stage 1 in the Tour of the Basque Country runs from Pamplona to Sarriguren. Despite Tim Wellens and Julian Alaphilippe attacks in the finale, the race boils down to a sprint with Michael Matthews fastest. The Australian is the first leader. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Tour of the Basque Country 2017

1. Michael Matthews (aus)
2. Jay McCarthy (aus) s.t.
3. Simon Gerrans (aus) s.t.
4. Jhonathan Restrepo (col) s.t.
5. Sean De Bie (bel) s.t.
6. Maximiliano Richeze (arg) s.t.
7. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
8. Anthony Roux (fra) s.t.
9. Ben Swift (gbr) s.t.
10. Gregor Mühlberger (aut) s.t.

153. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 2.19

GC after the 1st stage
1. Michael Matthews (aus)
2. Jay McCarthy (aus) s.t.
3. Simon Gerrans (aus) s.t.
4. Jhonathan Restrepo (col) s.t.
5. Sean De Bie (bel) s.t.
6. Maximiliano Richeze (arg) s.t.
7. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
8. Anthony Roux (fra) s.t.
9. Ben Swift (gbr) s.t.
10. Gregor Mühlberger (aut) s.t.

Race report
Shortly after the start Sam Bennett abandons, while Lluis Mas, Igor Antón and Yoann Bagot occupy the seats in the break away. They quickly race to 4 minutes lead and there it lingers.

Bagot is the first to crest the first and second climb of the day, the Erro, with Antón second. On the summit of the Mezkiriz it is the other way around. Bagot and Mas are the last men standing before they are reeled in with 21 kms remaining.

Wellens attacks with 5 kms remaing and Alaphilippe goes on the counter attack – yet he punctures. In the ensuing sprint Matthews outpowers his compatriots McCarthy and Gerrans.

Read about the route of the 1st stage of the 2017 Tour of the Basque Country.