Italian sprinter Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) has continued his strong start to the 2014 season, winning the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve to add to his victories in the Tour de San Luis and Mallorca Challenge.
Modolo took the bunch sprint and early race lead at the end of an undulating stage in Portugal ahead of team mate and world champion Rui Costa, with Alessandro Petacchi (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) in third.
British sprinter Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) did not figure in the finale, and cam home in 92nd place.
Home favourite Costa will no doubt be eyeing the second stage on Thursday, a hilly route with a sharp climb in the final 10km that will suit an attacking rider.
Results
Volta ao Algarve, stage one: Faro to Albufeira, 160km
1. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre-Merida
2. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
4. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Europcar
5. Danilo Napolitano (Ita) Wanty-Groupe Gobert
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ
7. Edgar Pinto (Por) LA Aluminios-Antarte
8. Daniel Schorn (Aut) NetApp-Endura
9. Alexey Tsatevich (Rus) Katusha
10. Juan Jose Lobato (Spa) Movistar all same time
Overall classification after stage one
1. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre-Merida
2. Cesar Fonte (Por) Radio Popular at 1 sec
3. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida at 4 secs
4. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Omega Pharma-QuickStep at 6 secs
5. Luis Alfonso (Por) LA Aluminios-Antarte at 6 secs
6. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Europcar at 10 secs
7. Danilo Napolitano (Ita) Wanty-Groupe Gobert at 10 secs
8. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ at 10 secs
9. Mikael Delage (Fra) FDJ at 10 secs
10. Edgar Pinto (Por) LA Aluminios-Antarte at 10 secs
Cavendish to the Tour of Algarve with Renshaw and Petacchi
Sacha Modolo wins Trofeo Palma
International cycling race round-up: Results from Trofeo Palma, Etoile de Besseges and Jayco Herald Sun Tour
Mark Cavendish pipped by Sacha Modolo in San Luis
Italian Sacha Modolo pips Manxman to take race lead in Argentina
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