The Basque sits tenth on the general classification of the race he finished runner-up last year.
Sant Feliu de Guixols welcomed again the Volta a Catalunya peloton for the opening stage of the competition, but unlike the previous years, the sun was completely absent this time, being replaced by some heavy rain that accompanied the riders throughout the entire day as they took on the hilly roads of the region.
The breakaway, counting just four riders, had no chance of making it despite a strong effort, and was caught with more than 60 kilometers to go. Others tried to go clear, only to be overhauled by the bunch, who kept things under control until the final kilometer, when an attack of Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) on the uphill straight to the line saw the Brit take the win and the first leader’s jersey.
Despite the soaking wet conditions, Mikel Landa remained the entire time well positioned in the complicated closing kilometers of the stage – which ended up splitting the peloton and opening some significant gaps between some of the GC contenders – and put in a solid acceleration on this punchy finish to take eighth in Sant Feliu de Guixols, three places ahead of Soudal Quick-Step teammate Junior Lecerf.
Photo credit: ©Szymon Gruchalski / Getty Images
