Vuelta a Burgos 2020: Großschartner climbs to first leaders jersey

Vuelta a Burgos 2020: Großschartner climbs to first leader’s jersey

Felix Großschartner wins the opener of the Vuelta a Burgos. The Austrian is the fastest rider on the partly cobbled ascent of 900 metres at 6.1% to the ruins of Burgos Castle. Obviously, he is the first GC leader. João Almeida and Alejandro Valverde finish in second and third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Vuelta a Burgos 2020

1. Felix Großschartner (aut)
2. João Almeida (por) + 0.08
3. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
4. Alex Aranburu (spa) s.t.
5. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.10
6. David Gaudu (fra) s.t.
7. Jon Aberasturi (spa) s.t.
8. Jay McCarthy (aus) s.t.
9. Matteo Trentin (ita) s.t.
10. Remco Evenepoel (bel) s.t.

82. Simon Yates + 3.12

GC after stage 1
1. Felix Großschartner (aut)
2. João Almeida (por) + 0.08
3. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
4. Alex Aranburu (spa) s.t.
5. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.10
6. David Gaudu (fra) s.t.
7. Jon Aberasturi (spa) s.t.
8. Jay McCarthy (aus) s.t.
9. Matteo Trentin (ita) s.t.
10. Remco Evenepoel (bel) s.t.

Race report
Jetse Bol, Diego Pablo Sevilla, Gotzon Martín and Francisco ‘Kiko’ Galván occupy the break of the day. The quartet races to a lead of more than 5 minutes before the peloton takes control.

With 44 kilometres to go the peloton splits in the cross-winds when the gap has fallen to 1 minute.

Evenepoel, Valverde and Soler are present in the first echelon and they gobble up the four attackers. Evenepoel goes solo just before it all comes together. He opens up a gap of 45 seconds, while World Champion Pedersen is dropped from the back.

After a 15 kilometres show Evenepoel waits for the peloton and Willie Smit goes on the counter-attack. The South-African is brought back just before the first passage on the line.

When the riders are back on the climb the castle ruins Großschartner speeds up. Nobody comes with him and the Austrian pushes on to win the stage 8 seconds ahead of Almeida, Valverde and Aranburu with the main group 2 more seconds behind.

Yates crosses the line more than 3 minutes later with his team mates Haig and Hamilton. His GC ambitions are over.

Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2020 Vuelta a Burgos.