Alejandro Valverde takes victory at end of aggressive day of racing at Ruta del Sol

Movistar rider takes his eighth stage victory in the history of the race

Alejandro Valverde wins stage one of the 2017 Ruta del Sol

(Image credit: JORGE GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images)

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) took victory in the opening stage of the Ruta del Sol, winning the sprint ahead of an elite group of climbers that went clear over the final ascent of the day.

Valverde is a four-time winner of this race, and took his eighth Ruta del Sol stage win as he shadowed numerous attacks from Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) up the Alto de Monachil.

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