The Belgian Wout van Aert, from the Jumbo-Visma, is the first leader of the Tour of Great Britain to win this Sunday the first of the eight stages of the race, of 180.8 kilometers between Penzance and Bodmin, in the south of the country. The reigning Olympic road long-distance runner-up beat the Dutchman Nils Eekhoff (DSM) in the sprint at the Bodmin finish line, with a slight incline. to the Spanish Gonzalo Serrano (Movistar), who completed the first podior, and the British Ethan Hayter (ONEOS Grenadiers).
This quartet led the platoon by two seconds, The Irishman Rory Townsend (Canyon dhb Sungod) led the finish line. The position to face the final stretch was crucial given the speed at which the last kilometer was reached, and Van Aert was well placed as he entered the short, steep ramp that led to the finish.
Although the French Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quickstep) launched an attack with about 600 meters to go, could not break away from the group and the Belgian champion overtook him to take the victory. Alaphilippe came in in eighth place. After the application of the bonuses, Van Aert is the first leader, 4 seconds ahead of Eekhoff, six over Serrano, ten over Hayter and twelve over the rest of the squad. This Monday the second stage is disputed, between Sherford and Exeter and a journey of 184 km