Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2018: Van Poppel takes 1st stage and leader’s jersey
Stage 1 in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana is mostly played out on flat to rolling roads. The route takes in one climb that's crested with 100 kilometres remaining, yet the race boils down to a bunch sprint. Danny van Poppel powers to an impressive win ahead of Luka Mezgec, taking the first leader's jersey while he is at it.. (Slideshow route/profile)
Results 1st stage 2018 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
1. Danny van Poppel (nld)
2. Luka Mezgec (slo) s.t.
3. Jürgen Roelandts (bel) s.t.
4. Daniel McLay (gbr) s.t.
5. Clément Venturini (fra) s.t.
6. Hugo Hofstetter (fra) s.t.
7. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.
8. Oliver Naesen (bel) s.t.
9. Marco Canolo (ita) s.t.
10. Angélo Tulik (fra) s.t.
GC after the 1st stage
1. Danny van Poppel (nld)
2. Luka Mezgec (slo) + 0.04
3. Jürgen Roelandts (bel) + 0.06
4. Daniel McLay (gbr) + 0.10
5. Clément Venturini (fra) s.t.
6. Hugo Hofstetter (fra) s.t.
7. Michal Kwiatkowski(pol) s.t.
8. Oliver Naesen (bel) s.t.
9. Marco Canolo (ita) s.t.
10.Angélo Tulik (fra) s.t.
Race report
Attacks are flying from the start, yet it takes more than 10 kms for the break of the day to get clear. Fransisco Mancebo, Paul Ourselin, José Díaz Gallego and Ibai Salas race to a maximum lead of 5 minutes before it goes down to around 3 minutes when hitting La Bandereta, which is the only climb of the day.
Little by little the lead goes further down and with 18 kms remaining the attackers are gobbled up.
With 3 kms to go Gianni Moscon opens up a gap, but he is caught in the last km by the chasing LottoNl squad. Their sprinter Danny van Poppel doesn’t linger. He goes from a long way out and while Luka Mezgec does his best to overhaul him, the Dutchman powers to the win.
Read also: route 1st stage 2018 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2018 stage 1: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Danny van Poppel
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Favourites - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Overview - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Roelandts outsprints Van Poppel, Valverde takes overall - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Valverde wins Queen Stage and cements overall lead - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 BMC wins neutralized TTT, Valverde still in overall lead - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Valverde wins three-up sprint and takes overall lead - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Route stage 2: Bétera - Albuixech - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Route stage 3: Poble Nou de Benitaxell - Calpe - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Route stage 4: Orihuela - Cocentaina - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Route stage 5: Paterna - Valencia - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 More articles Enter Tour de France pool with €25,000 in prize money
Tour de France 2022: The Route
Tour de France 2022: Riders
Tour de France 2022: GC Favourites
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 1: Copenhagen - Copenhagen
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 1: Ganna for first yellow jersey
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 2: Roskilde - Nyborg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 2: For fast men #1
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 3: Vejle - Sønderborg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 3: For fast men #2
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 4: Dunkirk - Calais
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 4: Strongman-sprinter skillset recommended
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 5: Lille - Arenberg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 5: Roubaix à La Grande Boucle
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 6: Binche - Longwy
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 6: Lumpy race for attackers
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 7: Tomblaine - La Planche des Belles Filles
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 7: Attackers or GC clash?
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 8: Dole - Lausanne
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 8: Finale for puncheurs
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 9: Aigle - Châtel
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 9: Attackers in the Alps
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 10: Morzine - Megève
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 11: Albertville - Col du Granon
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 12: Briançon - Alpe d'Huez
Cycling Calendar 2022
Giro Donne 2022: The Route
Giro Donne 2022: Riders
Vuelta 2022: The Route
Giro 2022 Route stage 18: Borgo Valsugana - Treviso
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!
Instagram #volta…
Volta a Valencia Tweets