Tour of Valencia 2023: Girmay sprints to triumph and leader's jersey

fotobureau Cor VosThe 1st of the Tour of Valencia is far from flat. But still, the race comes down to a group sprint. Biniam Girmay outguns Olav Kooij and Iván García with bike lengths to take the first leader's jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage 2023 Tour of Valencia

1. Biniam Girmay (eri)
2. Olav Kooij (nld) s.t.
3. Iván García (spa) s.t.
4. José Joaquín Rojas (spa) s.t.
5. Alex Aranburu (spa) s.t.
6. Antonio Jesús Soto (spa) s.t.
7. Samuele Battistella (ita) s.t.
8. Fernando Barceló (spa) s.t.
9. Louis Bendixen (den) s.t.
10. Giulio Ciccone (ita) s.t.

GC after stage 1
1. Biniam Girmay (eri)
2. Olav Kooij (nld) + 0.04
3. Iván García (spa) + 0.06
4. José Joaquín Rojas (spa) + 0.10
5. Alex Aranburu (spa) s.t.
6. Antonio Jesús Soto (spa) s.t.
7. Samuele Battistella (ita) s.t.
8. Fernando Barceló (spa) s.t.
9. Louis Bendixen (den) s.t.
10. Giulio Ciccone (ita) s.t.

Race report
Héctor Carretero, Xabier Isasa, Riccardo Lucca, Ander Okamika and Ward Vanhoof attack from the gun. The five open up a 3 minutes gap.

On the first of two KOM climbs, Coll de Rates, the lead group desintegrates. Carretero goes alone, but the peloton is breathing down his neck and moments later he is reeled in also.

Jumbo-Visma sprinter Olav Kooij is dropped in the Rates climb, but his team mates escort him back in the run-up to the Alto de Bèrnia.

A late attack of Joan Bou is neutralised before the race comes down to a group sprint, in which Biniam Girmay is in a class of his own. Obviously, he is the first overall leader in Valencia.

Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2023 Tour of Valencia.