Cimolai outsprints Bouhanni and wins Volta a Catalunya opener
The 175.8km stage started and finished in the same seaside town, but there was plenty of drama in between as the peloton were forced to negotiate a hilly opening to the race.
Fatigue played a part in a sprint finish that reflected the difficulty of a day that had included six categorised climbs, with Bouhanni setting out for home a fraction early and Cimolai catching him on the line.
“Two days ago I rode the Milano-Sanremo — it’s a long race, but today in the final, I stayed very well positioned,” Cimolai said. “I want to give thanks to all my team. Today it was fantastic.”
È SUBITO GRANDE ITALIA ALLA VOLTA!
— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) 20 martie 2017
Davide Cimolai batte al fotofinish Bouhanni @VoltaCatalunya @cimo89 @EquipeFDJ #EurosportCICLISMO pic.twitter.com/4eOYAFQDIo
Volta a Catalunya 2017 – stage 1 results ( Calella – Calella ):
1) Davide Cimolai (Ita) FDJ 4:28:21
2) Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis)
3) Kristian Sbaragli (Dimension Data)
4) Dion Smith (Wanty – Groupe Gobert)
5) André Greipel (Lotto Soudal)
6) Jose Rojas (Movistar)
7) Daryl Impey (Orica-Scott)
8) Petr Vakoc (Quick-Step Floors)
9) Phil Bauhaus (Team Sunweb)
10) Enrico Gasparotto (Bahrain Merida)
