BMC beat Team Sky in opening team time trial at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
Italian Manuel Senni takes the race's first yellow jersey
BMC Racing won the opening team time trial of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, edging Team Sky into second place, with Italian Manuel Senni taking the first leader's yellow jersey
The two-time team time trial world champions produced an excellent performance on the hilly 37.9km course in eastern Spain, starting on the Mediterranean coast to the east of the city of Murcia, and finishing in Orihuela.
With no time checks along the course, it was difficult to track teams' progress through the stage, but BMC looked smooth throughout, with only one rider dropping off the back towards the very end of the stage.
The early pace was set by CCC Sprandi Polkowice, whose time was eventually beaten by LottoNL-Jumbo and then Quick-Step Floors.
However's Quick-Step's time of 44-06 was comfortable beaten by BMC Racing, who stopped the clock at 43-17.
There were only three teams still to finish after BMC, and after Astana and Movistar failed to provide a challenge, it was up to Team Sky, led by defending champion Wout Poels.
Led across the line by Polish rider Lukasz Wisniowski, Sky finished 21 seconds in arrears.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Tomorrow's stage sees the riders tackle a rolling course finishing in Denia, with a third category climb close to the end of the stage.
However the overall race is likely to be decided on Saturday's stage four, which features the only summit finish of the race.
Results
Volta a la Comunitat de la Valenciana 2017, stage one: Orihuela to Orihuela, 37.9km
1. BMC Racing (USA), in 43-17
2. Team Sky (GBR), at 21 secs
3. Quick-Step Floors (BEL), at 49 secs
4. Movistar (ESP), at 1-02
5. Team LottoNL-Jumbo (NED), at 1-13
6. Astana (KAZ), at 1-16
7. FDJ (FRA), at 1-30
8. Katusha-Alpecin (SUI), at 1-52
9. Cannondale-Drapac (USA), at 1-58
10. Orica-Scott (AUS), at 2-00
General classification after stage one
1. Manuel Senni (ITA) BMC Racing, in 43-17
2. Michael Schar (SUI) BMC Racing
3. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) BMC Racing
4. Nicolas Roche (IRL) BMC Racing
5. Stefan Küng (SUI) BMC Racing
6. Ben Hermans (BEL) BMC Racing, all same time
7. Lukasz Wisniowski (POL) Team Sky, at 21 secs
8. Philip Deignan (IRL) Team Sky
9. Michal Kwiatkowski (POL) Team Sky
10. Wout Poels (NED) Team Sky, all same time
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
We rode and reviewed the Ouray, Parlee Cycles' first new bike model since facing bankruptcy
The storied American brand continues with a Portugal-made carbon steed that goes zoom but doesn’t fit like a race bike
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published