Elia Viviani wins Tour of Austria stage as Sep Vanmarcke takes overall lead
Italian sprinter Elia Viviani sprints to victory in Vienna as winds and crashes play their part on stage one
Elia Viviani won stage one of the Tour of Austria in Vienna on Monday, taking the sprint victory on a day affected by crashes and crosswinds.
Viviani has been at the centre of speculation in the past month that he may be ready to leave Team Sky, and this victory in Austria was for the Italian national team rather than for his trade squad, who are absent from the UCI 2.1-ranked event.
A large crash in the final 30km of the 193.8km stage from Graz to Vienna saw the peloton whittled down to around 30 riders.
>>> Elia Viviani ‘could leave Sky before Vuelta a España’
Viviani sprinted ahead of Sep Vanmarcke (Cannondale-Drapac) in second and Jason Lowndes (Israel Cycling Academy) in third.
"The last 50 kilometres were extremely difficult because of the wind," Viviani said. "But it was a fantastic final for me. A victory here in Vienna is something special."
Belgian Vanmarcke now takes the overall race lead, having placed fifth in Sunday's opening time trial prologue behind winner Oscar Gatto (Astana).
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Vanmarcke leads team-mate William Clarke by three seconds, with Markus Eibegger (Felbermayr-Simplon Wells) in third at five seconds. Viviani moves up to fifth overall at nine seconds.
The seven-day Tour of Austria concludes on Saturday, July 8. Last year's race was won by Jan Hirt (CCC Sprandi Polkowice).
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
I'm not into cake stops - but - I made an exception to rate five British delicacies in one ride
Of all the cakes named after places in the north-west of England, which is the tastiest? Simon Warren sets out to sample them all in a single epic ride
By Simon Warren Published
-
The Rugby Flyer flies again: the story of the first sub-hour '25' time trial
How one record-breaking bike – and the memory of the man who rode it – live on
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Elia Viviani says helmet 'saved his life' in Paris-Roubaix crash
The Italian abandoned the race after 40km on Sunday, but left without any fractures
By Adam Becket Published
-
GB's Neah Evans claims stunning first world title on final day of Track World Championships
Great Britain finishes with 10 medals, after Madison silver and elimination race bronze
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Elia Viviani outsprints the pack in wind-blown stage one of Tour de la Provence
The Ineos Grenadiers rider took his first victory since returning to the team
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'My head was filled with doubts and insecurities but I'm ready to win sprints again': says Elia Viviani as he re-joins Ineos in 2022
The former Italian champion and Olympic gold medallist is confident he can get back to the top of sprinting
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Belgian pro criticises Elia Viviani's lead-out after he was 'sandwiched' in sprint
The Belgian came out of Viviani's wheel late to dart for the line but had to brake to avoid Consonni
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Elia Viviani apologises to Davide Cimolai for altercation after finish of stage three at Giro d’Italia 2021
The Italian sprinter hit his compatriot after the finish line and was frustrated in his post-race interview
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Elia Viviani leaves Cofidis training camp due to heart concerns, according to report
Elia Viviani has reportedly left the Cofidis winter training camp due to heart concerns, according to Italian media.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Fabio Jakobsen pushes past Elia Viviani to take stage one of the Volta ao Algarve 2020
Youth trumped experience in the Volta ao Algarve 2020 as Fabio Jakobsen pushed past Elia Viviani to take stage one.
By Alex Ballinger Published