Vuelta a España stage one goes to Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen
Belgian sprinter Jasper Philipsen claimed the opening stage of the Vuelta a España in a sprint finish, earning the first red jersey of the race.
Belgian sprinter Jasper Philipsen claimed the opening stage of the Vuelta a España in a photo-finish, earning him the first red jersey of the race.
It was his first stage win since the Tour de France opener in July, when a crash forced him to abandon two days later with a broken collarbone.
Philipsen surged ahead on the final straight after a lead-out from his Alpecin–Deceuninck team, crossing the line before Britain’s Ethan Vernon (Israel–Premier Tech) and Venezuela’s Orluis Aular (Movistar).
“Winning is always a nice feeling and getting the red jersey is a great gift,” Philipsen said. “After my crash in the Tour, I was disappointed to be out, so this was a key goal. We had just one real opportunity, as there are few chances for sprinters in this Vuelta.”
Britain’s Tom Pidcock, riding for Q36.5 Pro Cycling, finished ninth.
This year’s Vuelta began outside Spain for the sixth time and for the first time in Italy, covering a largely flat 186.1km from Turin to Novara.
Alessandro Verre took the King of the Mountains points on the day’s only categorised climb at La Serra, ahead of Spain’s Joel Nicolau.
Stage two on Sunday remains in Italy’s Piedmont region, spanning 159.6km from Alba to a 9.8km ascent to Limone Piemonte.
Four-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar is absent as he focuses on September’s World Championships.
Stage one results
- Jasper Philipsen (BEL, Alpecin–Deceuninck) 4h 09’ 12”
- Ethan Vernon (GBR, Israel–Premier Tech) same time
- Orluis Aular (VEN, Movistar)
- Elia Viviani (ITA, Lotto)
- Iván García Cortina (ESP, Movistar)
- David González (ESP, Q36.5 Pro Cycling)
- Bryan Coquard (FRA, Cofidis)
- Thomas Silva (URU, Caja Rural–Seguros RGA)
- Tom Pidcock (GBR, Q36.5 Pro Cycling)
- Madis Mihkels (EST, EF Education–EasyPost)
General classification after stage one
- Jasper Philipsen (BEL, Alpecin–Deceuninck) 4h 09’ 12”
- Ethan Vernon (GBR, Israel–Premier Tech) +4”
- Pepijn Reinderink (NED, Soudal–Quick-Step)
- Orluis Aular (VEN, Movistar) +6”
- Nicolas Vinokurov (KAZ, XDS Astana)
- Koen Bouwman (NED, Jayco–AlUla) +8”
- Elia Viviani (ITA, Lotto) +7”
- Iván García Cortina (ESP, Movistar)
- David González (ESP, Q36.5 Pro Cycling)
- Bryan Coquard (FRA, Cofidis)
Philipsen’s sprint dominance secured him a morale-boosting victory and the coveted red jersey on a stage suited to fast finishers.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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