Michael Matthews sprints to win Tour of the Basque Country stage one

Hilly finale of Tour of the Basque Country stage one prompts attacks from GC contenders, but all are reeled in to set up a bunch sprint

Michael Matthews

(Image credit: Yuzuru Sunada)

Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb) won the opening stage of the 2017 Tour of the Basque Country in Spain, and earned the early race lead after taking the bunch sprint.

Matthews topped an all-Australian one-two-three to take his first victory of the season, finishing ahead of compatriots Jay McCarthy (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Simon Gerrans (Orica-Scott). Britain's Ben Swift (UAE Team Emirates) finished ninth.

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