Tour de Pologne (st. 1)

Ecuadorian (23rd) finds great support from Movistar team-mates in final circuit of fast-paced, scorching race in Kraków. Ackermann (BOH) takes first leader's jersey.

It was a calm, yet tense day for the Movistar Team in the opening stage of the 75th Tour de Pologne. The Blues had only one goal in keeping Richard Carapaz and their other six members safe in a sprinters’ finish after the 134km stage one around Kraków, and they managed to succeed.

The squad directed by José Luis Jaimerena and Pablo Lastras suffered no incidents during the fast-paced -45kph average-, scorching stage, with Jorge Arcas and Nuno Bico setting up a final ‘lead-out’ for the Blues’ main GC threat. The Ecuadorian had no troubles to finish in 23rd place behind winner Pascal Ackermann (BOH).

Ackermann (BOH) gana la 1ª etapa del @Tour_de_Pologne #TDP2018 en Cracovia, por delante de Hodeg (QST) y Trentin (MTS).

1️⃣✅ Ningún problema para los Movistar Team en la llegada. Destacable trabajo de protección de @Arcas92 y @nbico en el tramo final por @RichardCarapazM. pic.twitter.com/JOfUkl6bCL

— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) August 4, 2018

All seven Movistar Team riders finished without time losses, a situation they hope to retain on Sunday’s second of three flat finishes before Tuesday’s uphill at Szczyrk. Stage two will be a rolling 156km trek from Tarnowskie Góry to Katowice, with three final laps around a twisty circuit which should still not cause any time differences.