Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2018: Van Poppel takes 1st stage and leader’s jersey
Stage 1 in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana is mostly played out on flat to rolling roads. The route takes in one climb that's crested with 100 kilometres remaining, yet the race boils down to a bunch sprint. Danny van Poppel powers to an impressive win ahead of Luka Mezgec, taking the first leader's jersey while he is at it.. (Slideshow route/profile)
Results 1st stage 2018 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
1. Danny van Poppel (nld)
2. Luka Mezgec (slo) s.t.
3. Jürgen Roelandts (bel) s.t.
4. Daniel McLay (gbr) s.t.
5. Clément Venturini (fra) s.t.
6. Hugo Hofstetter (fra) s.t.
7. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.
8. Oliver Naesen (bel) s.t.
9. Marco Canolo (ita) s.t.
10. Angélo Tulik (fra) s.t.
GC after the 1st stage
1. Danny van Poppel (nld)
2. Luka Mezgec (slo) + 0.04
3. Jürgen Roelandts (bel) + 0.06
4. Daniel McLay (gbr) + 0.10
5. Clément Venturini (fra) s.t.
6. Hugo Hofstetter (fra) s.t.
7. Michal Kwiatkowski(pol) s.t.
8. Oliver Naesen (bel) s.t.
9. Marco Canolo (ita) s.t.
10.Angélo Tulik (fra) s.t.
Race report
Attacks are flying from the start, yet it takes more than 10 kms for the break of the day to get clear. Fransisco Mancebo, Paul Ourselin, José Díaz Gallego and Ibai Salas race to a maximum lead of 5 minutes before it goes down to around 3 minutes when hitting La Bandereta, which is the only climb of the day.
Little by little the lead goes further down and with 18 kms remaining the attackers are gobbled up.
With 3 kms to go Gianni Moscon opens up a gap, but he is caught in the last km by the chasing LottoNl squad. Their sprinter Danny van Poppel doesn’t linger. He goes from a long way out and while Luka Mezgec does his best to overhaul him, the Dutchman powers to the win.
Read also: route 1st stage 2018 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2018 stage 1: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Danny van Poppel
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Favourites - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Overview - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Roelandts outsprints Van Poppel, Valverde takes overall - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Valverde wins Queen Stage and cements overall lead - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 BMC wins neutralized TTT, Valverde still in overall lead - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Valverde wins three-up sprint and takes overall lead - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Route stage 2: Bétera - Albuixech - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Route stage 3: Poble Nou de Benitaxell - Calpe - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Route stage 4: Orihuela - Cocentaina - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 Route stage 5: Paterna - Valencia - Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 20 More articles Tour de France 2025: The Route
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 1: Lille - Lille
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 2: Lauwin-Planque - Boulogne-sur-Mer
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 3: Valenciennes - Dunkirk
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 4: Amiens - Rouen
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 5: Caen - Caen
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 6: Baveux - Vire Romandie
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 7: Saint-Malo - Mûr-de-Bretagne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 8: Saint-Méen-le-Grand - Laval
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 9: Chinon - Châteauroux
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 10: Ennezat - Le Mont-Dore
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 11: Toulouse - Toulouse
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 12: Auch - Hautacam
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 13: Loudenvielle - Peyragudes
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 14: Pau - Superbagnères
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 15: Muret - Carcassonne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 16: Montpellier - Mont Ventoux
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 17: Bollène - Valence
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 18: Vif - Col de la Loze
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 19: Albertville - La Plagne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 20: Nantua - Pontarlier
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 21: Mantes-la-Ville - Paris
Tour de France: Winners and records
Giro 2025: The Route Rumours
Giro d'Italia: Winners and records
Cycling Calendar 2025
Tour de France Femmes 2025: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2025 Route stage 1: Vannes - Plumelec
Tour de France Femmes 2025 Route stage 2: Brest - Quimper
Tour de France Femmes 2025 Route stage 3: La Gacilly - Angers
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!
Instagram #volta…
Volta a Valencia Tweets