MADRID, March 23 (Xinhua) -- French champion Dorian Godon of Ineos Grenadiers won a sprint finish to take the opening stage of the Tour of Catalonia on Monday.
Godon edged out Remco Evenepoel of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, with Tom Pidcock of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team finishing third at the end of the 179-kilometer stage, which started and finished in the coastal town of Sant Feliu de Guixols in northeastern Spain.
The stage was expected to suit a reduced sprint, although a first-category climb midway through a rolling route sparked a breakaway that was eventually reeled in before the final kilometers. A series of short, sharp climbs near the finish proved enough to distance the pure sprinters.
The Volta a Catalunya is one of the key early-season stage races and serves as an indicator of form ahead of May's Giro d'Italia.
Evenepoel, a double Olympic champion, is among the pre-race favorites, but faces strong competition from Paris-Nice winner Jonas Vingegaard, who leads a powerful Visma-Lease a Bike lineup supported by 2023 Vuelta a Espana winner Sepp Kuss.
Pidcock is also considered a podium contender, alongside British climber Oscar Onley and Joao Almeida of UAE Team Emirates, whose squad includes Brandon McNulty and Marc Soler. Mikel Landa of Soudal-Quick-Step is also expected to animate the mountain stages.
Tuesday's second stage covers 167 kilometers of rolling terrain between Figueres and Banyoles, with a largely downhill final 25 kilometers that could again favor a fast finish. ■
