Pim Ligthart Wins Ruta Del Sol Opener

Last updated : 18 February 2015 By Covsupport News Service

Pim Ligthart of Lotto-Soudal has won the opening stage of the 61st Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol.

Chris Froome and Alberto Contador were amongst the big names who were in Southern Spain to contest the 61st Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol.

The race started with a lumpy 121.3km stage 1A from La Rábida to Hinojos and straight away, Honig, Komin, Salas and Jones formed a break which saw them 1.05 clear after fifteen kilometres.

They extended that lead to 2.35 after fifty kilometres and stayed away until the final twenty eight kilometres.

Sander Helven then attacked, taking a thirty second lead before being caught with ninteen kilometres remaining.

There was a crash with eight kilometres left which saw Team Sky and Giant Alpecin involved and three kilometres later, another big crash which reduced the size of the peloton even further.

There was still enough riders left to contest a bunch sprint which Pim Ligthart of Lotto-Soudal won in 3.01.44 ahead of Fabio Silvestre of Trek Factory Racing, Grega Bole of CCC Sprandi Polkowice, Michael van Staeyen of Cofidis and Tyler Farrar of MTN Qhubeka.

Team Sky's Peter Kennaugh finished in 12th place with Chris Froome in 14th.