For his comeback race after his two Olympic titles, Remco Evenepoel has set his sights on the Tour of Britain to prepare perfectly for his World Championships. The first stage of this Tour provides some short and rolling climbs and is mainly based around the climb of Dingleton, 2.6 km at 6%.
From the first kilometers, Callum Thornley (Trinity Racing) et Julius Johansen (Sabgal / Anicolor) escape in pairs, before being joined a few minutes later by Callum Hormiston (Global 6 United). The three escapees take almost 4 minutes ahead of the peloton.
Behind, Soudal Quick-Step leads the way at the head of the peloton to control this breakaway. In the leading group, the Englishman Callum Thornsley decides to aim for the mountain jersey and takes the lead on 4 different passes in this stage. A harvest of points that allows him to win the best climber’s jersey.
25km from the finish, Julian Alaphilippe goes on the offensive. With this acceleration, the Frenchman definitively seals the fate of the breakaway but the former world champion fails to make the difference in this last climb. Remco Evenepoel then decides to take the lead to impose a tempo until the summit. The peloton heads straight towards a mass sprint. 7km from the finish, Baptiste Veistroffer tries to leave alone but Remco Evenepoel et Julian Alaphilippe do a great job and catch up with the fugitive very quickly. The two Soudal Quick-Step riders continue on their momentum and set the perfect pace for their teammate Paul Magnier who easily wins the sprint.
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