Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Michal Kwiatkowski continues to lead the general classification after the 88.6km Stage 1 of Tour de Romandie on Wednesday. Organizeres decided to shorten the race on Tuesday in anticipation of inclement weather.
Due to the shortened length of the stage, every kilometer was active and the peloton was drastically reduced in the final kilometers. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) went on the attack after the lone categorized climb of the stage, but the move was still brought back with 1.3km to go. Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) launched an attack after that, but he was caught with just meters to go in the stage.
Michael Albasini (ORICA-GreenEDGE) won the stage, with Jesus Herrada (Movistar Team) taking 2nd and Ramunas Navardauskas (Garmin-Sharp) finishing 3rd. Kwiatkowski finished 12th to protect his yellow jersey.
OPQS looks next to 166.5km Stage 2 on Thursday. The course is undulating, with two Category 3 climbs as well as a hon-categorized uphill that descends to the finish.