Remco Evenepoel solos to first 2022 victory on Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana stage one
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider attacks to victory with over 4km to go in Spanish stage race opener
![Remco Evenepoel in 2022](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BPamWVAbAPeWkEEoc6pUBK-415-80.jpg)
Remco Evenepoel got off to a winning start in 2022, taking victory on his season debut at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana.
The Belgian superstar cruised away from the reduced peloton on the final climb of the 166.7km opening stage of the Spanish race, timing his move perfectly with 4.7km to go to leave rivals in his wake.
>>> New S-Works shoes spotted at Saudi Tour: could these be the S-Works 8?
Evenpoel then settled into his time trialling rhythm to maintain a gap of over 10 seconds to the lone pursuer, Aleksandr Vlasov of Bora-Hansgrohe. The Russian expectedly was unable to make any headway into the advantage of rampaging Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider, who had topped the final climb solo before staying clear through the final 3km or so to the finish.
Vlasov managed to limit the damage to 16 seconds at the line, and will look to stage three's summit finish, or an error from Evenepoel, to steal the overall from the stage one winner, who has made a habit of winning these short one-week stage races.
The next best rider was the Ineos Grenadiers Spaniard Carlos Rodriguez, who crept in a second before a group of contenders at 31 seconds down to Evenepoel.
Early in the day a group of five riders - Joan Bou (Euskaltel - Euskadi), Ben King (Human Powered Health), Jesús Ezquerra (Burgos-BH), David González (Caja-Rural), and Iván Moreno (Equipo Kern Pharma) - escaped to form the day's main breakaway.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
They managed to establish a maximum gap of near four minutes on the main bunch, which for the most part was controlled by a Movistar in service of the likes of Alejandro Valverde and Enric Mas.
It was inevitable that the break would be reeled back in eventually on the undulating 166km course, and the gap tightened substantially in the final 50km with just four riders (Ezquerra dropped) remaining out front with 21 seconds in hand at the 35km to go mark.
Things were all back together as 32km ticked over and the bigger teams began to fight for space at the front. Bahrain Victorious' work saw Matej Mohorič take a three-second time bonus and the intermediate sprint with around 19km to go, but it was Yves Lampaert (Quick-Step) who did the most damage before the final climb.
The Belgian pulled the peloton with a powerful effort towards the final climb before Bahrain attempted to set the pace on the slope itself.
Antwan Tolhoek (Trek-Segafredo) was the first to try an attack in earnest with around 5km to, but it was short-lived. The next real move however would stick, with Evenepoel timing his effort perfectly with 4.7km remaining to fire away from the group as there was a brief lull in proceedings.
Thanks to his victory Evenepoel now leads the five-stage race with an advantage of 19 seconds over Vlasov, and will be confident of keeping that buffer on day two's medium-mountain stage to Torrent.
Results
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2022, stage one: Les Alqueries to Torralba del Pinar (166.7km)
1. Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, in 4-16-32
2. Aleksandr Vlasov (Rus) Bora-Hansgrohe, at 16s
3. Carlos Rodriguez (Esp) Ineos Grenadiers, at 31s
4. Enric Mas (Esp) Movistar Team, at 32s
5. Luis León Sánchez (Esp) Bahrain Victorious
6. Antwan Tolhoek (Ned) Trek-Segafredo
7. Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Movistar Team
8. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Israel-Premier Tech, all at same time
9. Matej Mohorič (Slo) Bahrain Victorious, at 42s
10. David De La Cruz (Esp) Astana, at 53s
General classification after stage one
1. Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, in 4-16-32
2. Aleksandr Vlasov (Rus) Bora-Hansgrohe, at 19s
3. Carlos Rodriguez (Esp) Ineos Grenadiers, at 37s
4. Enric Mas (Esp) Movistar Team, at 42s
5. Luis León Sánchez (Esp) Bahrain Victorious
6. Antwan Tolhoek (Ned) Trek-Segafredo
7. Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Movistar Team
8. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Israel-Premier Tech, all at same time
9. Matej Mohorič (Slo) Bahrain Victorious, at 48s
10. David De La Cruz (Esp) Astana, at 1-03s
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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
How to watch the Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
Get all the information you need to watch the action of the men's and women's Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
By Cat Glowinski Published
-
Ribble Cycles looking to capitalise on 'big summer of sport' with 30% off highly-rated models
Direct-to-consumer Ribble Cycles has always been rated highly among the Cycling Weekly tech team. This is our pick of the best Road, Gravel and E-bikes from their 'Summer Sale'
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
Remco Evenepoel: No one should doubt me anymore
The Tour de France's third-placed finisher suggests that he will have to reduce his time trial work if he is to beat Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Remco Evenepoel on Tadej Pogačar: He's not the same as us
Belgian was unable to follow Tadej Pogačar's attack on the climb to Isola 2000 on Friday
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar conquers Isola 2000 to win Tour de France stage 19 and extend his overall lead
Slovenian now leads race by more than five minutes going into the final two stages
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
'Mission accomplished': Remco Evenepoel cements Tour de France podium spot
The Soudal Quick-Step rider says his "main goal" is not to take time on Jonas Vingegaard or Tadej Pogačar, despite dropping the pair on Wednesday
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Serene and calm' Remco Evenepoel matures into Tour de France GC rider
Belgian Soudal Quick-Step rider lost time on stage 11, but takes confidence from a solid display in the Massif Central
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Sometimes you need balls to race': Remco Evenepoel annoyed by Jonas Vingegaard's Tour de France tactics
"Maybe Jonas didn’t have them today," Evenepoel calls for more aggressive riding from two-time champion after enthralling stage on the gravel around Troyes
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It could make you lose the Tour' - Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel look ahead to gravel stage at Tour de France
GC riders expecting chaotic stage on Sunday, with potential for time losses
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'To only lose 25 seconds is a good day for me' - Jonas Vingegaard defiant after Tour de France time trial
Defending champion loses 25 seconds to race leader Tadej Pogačar on stage seven
By Tom Thewlis Published