FINAL KM: Tour of The Alps Stage 1

With Chris Froome, Thibaut Pinot, Miguel Angel Lopez, and Fabio Aru on the start line, the climbing fest that is Tour of the Alps should give us a clue who’s peaking nicely for the Giro.

Tour of the Alps: Arco to Folgaria, 134.6km

Pello Bilbao took a sparkling finneseur’s victory and the fuschia jersey, kicking away in the closing kilometres after Astana put five riders into the select group that emerged on the 19km final climb. Teammate Luis Leon Sanchez raced clear in the finale to grab second place with Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec’s young Colombian Ivan Ramiro Sosa taking third. These three were 10secs ahead of the group containing Froome and Pinot.

Video…

A year ago the late Michele Scarponi won the first stage, today Pello dedicated his victory to him.

My fifth pro victory has a special taste, right because of this coincidence, coming one year after the final win by ‘Scarpa’. Michele always has a place in our hearts, he is a source of inspiration and motivation, and to repeat his feat in this Tour of the Alps debut makes it even more significant. This victory is for him, and his family.

"He is always in our minds"… @PelloBilbao1990 dedicates his leader's jersey to Michele Scarponi! #TotA #AstanaProTeam pic.twitter.com/OflBpn4P41

— Astana Pro Team (@AstanaTeam) April 16, 2018

Androni’s supremo Gianni Savio will be delighted with this 70th birthday present from his young Colombian rider…

Ivan Sosa is 20 years old. Third in opening stage in Tour of the Alps. Gianni can be proud of Sosa today on his 70th birthday. #TotA

— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) April 16, 2018

Stage 1 #TotA:
Best young rider classification result by Fiat Luftner Innsbruck.

The White Jersey will be worn by Ivan SOSA CUERVO tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/1csXvxNyIK

— Tour of The Alps (@Tourof_TheAlps) April 16, 2018

I’m not sure how LottoNL-Jumbo’s Kiwi rider George Bennett made the start line today, but so relieved he’s OK. Full story here

George Bennett was hit by a car yesterday while doing a recon of 16 of the Giro d'Italia. He went over the top of the car, taking the roof rack off with his knees. He told me after the #TotA stage 1 that he feels lucky to be alive.

— Sadhbh O'Shea (@SadhbhOS) April 16, 2018

Chris Froome will not comment further on the Salbutamol situation and leaves the talking to his legs

Froomey put in a strong acceleration on the climb. He drew out three rivals but there's now been a regrouping on the run-in. 4km to go #TotA pic.twitter.com/ouTRj208VR

— Team Sky (@TeamSky) April 16, 2018

We’ve been asking Ou est Kenny? a lot recently. Today we saw him reeling in a stomping Pinot attack. *wipes a little tear*

Kenny Elissonde chasing Thibaut Pinot. It's a sad world. #TotA

— Mihai Cazacu (@faustocoppi60) April 16, 2018

Another great race poster from Team Dimension Data…

🇮🇹#TotA

The first day of the Tour of the Alps departs from the town of Arco. The famous old castle ruins above the town seem to have exposed a Qhubeka hand in the masonry. pic.twitter.com/v0Pr30aldd

— Team Dimension Data (@TeamDiData) April 16, 2018

Full race report at Cycling News

Race website. Twitter #TotA

Header Image: Pello Bilbao (Astana) – Tim de Waele/Getty Images