Final KM: Stage 1, Vuelta a Andalucia, Volta ao Algarve

We’re all about stage racing this week baby! We’ve got two from the sunshine in Europe and an extra from the Arabian peninsula because, well, because we couldn’t resist the pictures. Plus a tale of romance from Team Astana.

Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol: St 1, Mijas to Granada, 197.6km

Thomas Boudat (Direct Energie) put his track skills on show to snatch victory from Sacha Modolo (EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale) on a bike throw. The pink clad Italian looked to have the Cava on dinner table after a determined lead out from his teammates, but as he eased over the line ready to celebrate Boudat drove hard and claimed the stop step and race lead. Clement Venturini (Ag2r La Mondiale) rounded out the podium.

Video. We pick it up with about 2km to go

Have to say, the #PinkArgyle train looked well organised in the final kilometres, I think we’ll see a Modolo win sooner rather than later.

"Today I feel sorry for the team only. They were perfect. The loss bothers me so much because of them. It was a hard race in the end with more than 3000 meters, and today shows the condition was there." – @SachaModolo on #64RDS stage one pic.twitter.com/7pWKtybZze

— EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale (@Ride_Argyle) February 14, 2018

Chris Froome (Sky) made his return to racing with the predictable media scrum.

.@chrisfroome, @MikelLandaMeana and the other riders on the start line for Stage 1 of the Ruta del Sol (@VCANDALUCIA). 197.6km from Mijas to Granada #64RdS pic.twitter.com/71CwCHIYXV

— Velon CC (@VelonCC) February 14, 2018

The race organizers says +150 media accredited for the Vuelta a Andalucia this year. More than six times the usual total and nearly all of them registering after Froome announced to ride Ruta del Sol. (Cyclingnews) #64RdS

— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) February 13, 2018

Full report from Cycling News

Race Website Race Twitter #64RdS (also #VueltaAndalucia #RutadelSol)

Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta: St 1, Albufeira to Lagos, 192.6km

Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL Jumbo) continued his Tour of Dubai form with season win #2 in Portugal. The Dutch speedster kept Arnaud Demare (FDJ) and Hugo Hofstetter (Cofidis) behind him after the last of the break was caught with 4km to go.

Video (no commentary). We pick it up with 2km to go.

Always an exciting moment for any young rider…

Super excited to finally pin the numbers on for my first Pro race with @TeamSunweb today at #VAlgarve18 #keepchallenging

— Jai Hindley (@JaiHindley) February 14, 2018

Unfortunately Jai was involved in crash but thankfully went on to finish the stage and help teammate Sam Oomen into the best young rider jersey.

"We were involved in the crash with Lennard and the other guys, but I managed to come back pretty quickly afterwards." – Rider reaction from @SamOomen after the #VAlgarve18 opener.

📝 https://t.co/7hNmA9Wvfv pic.twitter.com/3rahwDZQz5

— Team Sunweb (@TeamSunweb) February 14, 2018

Race Website Race Twitter #VAlgarve2018

EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA

We haven’t covered the Tour of Oman this year. But I had to add these wonderful images of Katusha Alpecin’s Nathan Haas emotional victory on stage 2. That scream over the line…

⚡️ STAGE 2 HIGHLIGHTS ⚡️
An action-packed day of racing from Sultan Qaboos University to Al Bustan ended with a brilliant sprint from Nathan Haas. Here's how the 🇦🇺 puncheur clinched a very emotional victory #TOO2018 pic.twitter.com/Q543Vc0yqn

— Tour of Oman (@tourofoman) February 14, 2018

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That face you make when you win the race!!😁💪 Congratulations to @nathanpeterhaas 💯🔝 #nathanhaas #TOO2018 #TourofOman #road #cycling #cyclinglife #roadbike #instalike #picoftheday #instadaily #instagood #photooftheday #cyclingphotos #tagsforlikes #bikeporn #followme #roadcycling #instalike #follow4follow #followforfollow #follow4like

A post shared by Live Cycling Manager 2 🚴‍♂️ (@livecyclingmanager2) on Feb 14, 2018 at 3:53am PST

Full wedding dress today…

. @NathanPeterHaas overwhelmed with emotions after his win at Al Bustan. BRILLIANT! @katushacycling pic.twitter.com/VCoNntMvsN

— Tour of Oman (@tourofoman) February 14, 2018

So pleased for him after a heat stricken Tour Down Under.

Red is totally in right now. So trending. Thanks to my unreal team for today, the win feels so good, no more bridesmaid awards, Yes!!!! #racetowin @katushacycling pic.twitter.com/gl9f1llY8m

— Nathan Haas (@NathanPeterHaas) February 14, 2018

RACE-TO-WIN 💥#TOO2018

✊🏻CONGRATS @nathanpeterhaas @katushacycling 💪🏻

📸@gettysport #TeamKatushaAlpecin pic.twitter.com/4Dku2jz6mZ

— Reto Hollenstein (@RetoHollenstein) February 14, 2018

I’m going to give the last word to Astana’s PR team for this little Valentines Day video #wellplayed

A rider and his bike: A Love Story♥️ @DarioCataldo #AstanaProTeam #HappyValentinesDay #ValentinesDay #Argon18 pic.twitter.com/6upUqpi4CM

— Astana Pro Team (@AstanaTeam) February 14, 2018

Header image:Thomas Boudat (Direct Energie) JORGE GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images