Davide Cimolai (FDJ) is the first leader of the Volta a Catalunya after winning the opening stage ahead of Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) and Kristian Sbaragli (Dimension Data).
The 175.8km stage started and finished in the same seaside town, but there was plenty of drama in between as the peloton were forced to negotiate a hilly opening to the race.
Fatigue played a part in a sprint finish that reflected the difficulty of a day that had included six categorised climbs, with Bouhanni setting out for home a fraction early and Cimolai catching him on the line.
“Two days ago I rode the Milano-Sanremo — it’s a long race, but today in the final, I stayed very well [positioned],” Cimolai said. “I want to give thanks to all my team. Today it was fantastic.”
È SUBITO GRANDE ITALIA ALLA VOLTA!
Davide Cimolai batte al fotofinish Bouhanni @VoltaCatalunya @cimo89 @EquipeFDJ #EurosportCICLISMO pic.twitter.com/4eOYAFQDIo— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) 20 martie 2017
Volta a Catalunya 2017 – stage 1 results (Calella – Calella):
| 1 | Davide Cimolai (Ita) FDJ | 4:28:21 |
| 2 | Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) | ,, |
| 3 | Kristian Sbaragli (Dimension Data) | ,, |
| 4 | Dion Smith (Wanty – Groupe Gobert) | ,, |
| 5 | André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) | ,, |
| 6 | Jose Rojas (Movistar) | ,, |
| 7 | Daryl Impey (Orica-Scott) | ,, |
| 8 | Petr Vakoc (Quick-Step Floors) | ,, |
| 9 | Phil Bauhaus (Team Sunweb) | ,, |
| 10 | Enrico Gasparotto (Bahrain Merida) | ,, |
