Movistar's Alejandro Valverde took the victory on the opening stage of the 63rd Vuelta Andalucia.
The opening stage was over 155kms and from Rincón de la Victoria to Granada in a race where Alejandro Valverde, fresh from his victory in the Vuelta a Murcia on Saturday, was back defending the race title he won in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016 and Alberto Contador was making his debut appearance for Trek Segafredo.
De Vries, Preidler, Turek, Senechal, Van der Sande and Sveshnikov were the first to break getting 4.30 ahead after 31kms.
Turek took the points on the category three - Premio de Montaña de Alhama before Prieidler was first over the category two Puerto del Lucero.
Van der Sande dropped out of the break, leaving five riders up the road with fifty kilometres to go.
Turek took the Meta Volante de Alhendin climb but the pelotón were all over them and they were caught.
Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde put in an attack to form a group with Poles, Uran, Izagirre and Diego Rosa with 23.6kms left.
Team Sky’s Mikel Landa joined them on the penultimate climb and then Reichenbach joined the group on the final climb and for the run in to Grenada.
Sebastien Reichenbach tried to attack but it was a sprint and Alejandro Valverde took the win in 4.02.28 ahead of Wout Poels and Reichenbach.
Article by Kev Monks for Digital Sports Group
Source: DSG
