Rapha-Condor-Sharp rider Chris Newton has taken victory in the opening stage of the Tour Doon Hame, outsprinting fellow escapees Evan Oliphant (Endura Racing) and Wouter de Groot (Global Racing Team).
The flat stage around the Dumfriesshire countryside looked set for a bunch sprint finish before the trio clipped off the front late on and staved off the peloton's chase.
"Obviously I've got a lot of speed in there. Today was quite fast, which was good for me," he said. "We got the gap with Evan easily and I was putting the most work in because I was determined I was going to win the stage.
"It worked out quite well - if we'd messed around much longer, we'd have been caught. I was committed, and just used my sprint to gap them straight away and held on to the finish," Newton continued.
Newton's win - a full 14 years after he took the opening day's stage in the Girvan, the Tour Doon Hame's long-standing predecessor - came after a fast and cagey 75-mile opening stage, in which few breakaway efforts were allowed breathing space.
Instead, intermediate sprints were hotly contested. With each one offering three seconds to the winner, they could be crucial in deciding the overall winner. By the end of the day, Kristian House had moved into fourth overall and replaced his national champion's jersey with that of hot spot sprints leader, fighting off a challenge from Ian Wilkinson and James Stewart.
However, Oliphant, Newton and de Groot had other ideas. After the gap was established, 36-year-old Newton drove things along to ensure the break's survival before taking the sprint from the front, frustrating home rider Oliphant.
"Second again. I've been second on stages in this race before, but never won a stage," the Endura rider said.
Tomorrow's stage is the longest of the race, covering 96 miles from Dumfries to Castle Douglas.
Tour Doon Hame 2010: stage one, Dumfries-Dumfries
2. Evan Oliphant (Endura Racing) at same time
General classification after stage one
Hot spot sprints leader: Kristian House (Rapha-Condor-Sharp)
Chris Newton celebrates his victory
The jersey winners after stage one (l-r): Newton, House, Bibby
The Tour DoonHame peloton passes New Abbey
Related linksTour DoonHame 2010: The Big Preview
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1