Maciej Paterski (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) won the first stage of Volta a Catalunya in Spain on Monday, sprinting to victory out of a three-man break. The 28-year-old Pole also claimed the race’s first leader’s jersey.
The stage, which started and finished in Calella, featured a category two, one, and category three climb, in that order.
An early break of three riders included Bart De Clercq (Lotto-Soudal), Paterski, and Pierre Rolland (Europcar). Their gap grew as large as 10 minutes at one point in the 185.2km stage.
With 50 kilometers remaining, ahead of the final climb, Alt de Collsacreau, the gap held at eight minutes.
As the trio reached 33km to go, the gap was back out to 9:30. Behind, in the peloton, the pace-making was left up to Team Sky and Tinkoff-Saxo, but the peloton’s motivation and organization was not adequate.
With 22 kilometers left, the gap had fallen to 7:56, but the breakaway seemed to be a real threat to the peloton’s GC hopefuls, especially with Rolland in the move. By 18km to go, the break had lost another minute of lead but was still comfortably out front.
The breakaway rode into Saint Cebria de Vallalta with a 5:30 advantage and 10 kilometers left to race.
As the three leaders entered the final kilometer, the tactical games began and the pace eased. They knew the stage was theirs to win, as the peloton was still well behind.
On a short rise before the finish, De Clerq made his move, and Paterski chased, bringing Rolland back on his wheel.
Rolland countered when De Clercq was caught, but Paterski was ready for the finale. He jumped as Rolland opened up his sprint, and held off the Frenchman all the way to the line. De Clercq had to settle for third.
The peloton reached the finish 2:40 behind, with Lotto-Soudal’s Boris Vallée claiming the sprint for fourth.
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The stage, which started and finished in Calella, featured a category two, one, and category three climb, in that order.
An early break of three riders included Bart De Clercq (Lotto-Soudal), Paterski, and Pierre Rolland (Europcar). Their gap grew as large as 10 minutes at one point in the 185.2km stage.
With 50 kilometers remaining, ahead of the final climb, Alt de Collsacreau, the gap held at eight minutes.
As the trio reached 33km to go, the gap was back out to 9:30. Behind, in the peloton, the pace-making was left up to Team Sky and Tinkoff-Saxo, but the peloton’s motivation and organization was not adequate.
With 22 kilometers left, the gap had fallen to 7:56, but the breakaway seemed to be a real threat to the peloton’s GC hopefuls, especially with Rolland in the move. By 18km to go, the break had lost another minute of lead but was still comfortably out front.
The breakaway rode into Saint Cebria de Vallalta with a 5:30 advantage and 10 kilometers left to race.
As the three leaders entered the final kilometer, the tactical games began and the pace eased. They knew the stage was theirs to win, as the peloton was still well behind.
On a short rise before the finish, De Clerq made his move, and Paterski chased, bringing Rolland back on his wheel.
Rolland countered when De Clercq was caught, but Paterski was ready for the finale. He jumped as Rolland opened up his sprint, and held off the Frenchman all the way to the line. De Clercq had to settle for third.
The peloton reached the finish 2:40 behind, with Lotto-Soudal’s Boris Vallée claiming the sprint for fourth.
The post Paterski wins as breakaway succeeds in Catalunya appeared first on VeloNews.com.
View the full article
