GreenEdge win again as Albasini takes Catalunya opener

albasini, catalonia, tour of catalonia 2012

2010 Tour of Britain winner Michael Albasini continued GreenEdge's solid start to the season by winning the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya.

The Swiss rider attacked from a three-man group on the third-category Alt de Collsacreu 15km from the finish in the seaside town of Calella, and held on to take a comfortable victory.

His breakaway companions Anthony Delaplace (Saur-Sojasun) Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) stayed clear of the peloton to complete the podium, while Kenny Van Hummel won the bunch sprint for fourth.

Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins seemingly had a trouble-free day, and finished within the main group. 

Two days after Simon Gerrans won Milan-San Remo, teammate Michele Albasini takes stage one of the Tour of Catalonia.

Paris-Nice victor Bradley Wiggins rides comfortably in the bunch. 

Results

Volta a Catalunya 2012 stage one: Calella-Calella, 138.9km

1. Michael Albasini (Sui) GreenEdge in 3-20-04

2. Anthony Delaplace (Saur-Sojasun) at 42 seconds

3. Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) at 1-14

4. Kenny Van Hummel (Vacansoleil-DCM) at 1-32

5. Ben Gastauer (Ag2r-La Mondiale)

6. Roger Kluge (Project 1T4i)

7. Allan Davis (GreenEdge)

8. Fabio Sabatini (Liquigas)

9. Davide Appolloino (Team Sky)

10. Francesco Gavazzi (Astana)

General classification after stage one

1. Michael Albasini (Sui) GreenEdge in 3-20-04

2. Anthony Delaplace (Saur-Sojasun) at 42 seconds

3. Nicolas Edet (Cofidis)at 1-14

4. Kenny Van Hummel (Vacansoleil-DCM) at 1-32

5. Ben Gastauer (Ag2r-La Mondiale) at st.

 

 

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Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.