Vuelta a Madrid (st. 1)

Spaniard on the attack through Cat-2 Alto de Cotos, gets safely through difficult finish in Manzanares El Real to remain into overall contention.

Portuguese allrounder Edgar Pinto (VFB) took the day’s honours at the inaugural, most demanding stage of the 2018 Vuelta a Madrid, over 175km in and around Manzanares El Real.

A 17-rider group detached from the main field at the day’s most demanding climb, the Alto de Cotos (Cat-2), with the Movistar Team launching its most consistent rider for the mountains present in the race, Jaime Rosón. The attacks by the Zamora native were rewarded with the KOM jersey and allowed the young Spaniard staying into the fight for the overall title, after his chances for the day’s win were ruined as a Medellín rider crashed just in front of him as he ran wide into the final turn left.

Behind, despite efforts from Héctor Carretero -continuing a great job from Castrillo, Bico and Bennati right from the bang-, Carlos Barbero (18th) had to stay content with second inside a pursuit group coming just 37″ behind. The Spanish sprinter and the rest of his Movistar team-mates will keep on seeking for chances to win into a short, rolling stage two on Saturday, with 135km in Alcobendas and San Sebastián de los Reyes.

Picture 3 (c): Photo Gomez Sport