David Martín, seventh in a very nervous first stage of the Volta a Valencia from the starting flag

11º Vuelta a la Provincia de Valencia
Stage 1: Valencia-Barxeta (135,1 km)

David Martín finished seventh in a very nervous first stage of the Volta a Valencia from the start, with a very high pace fuelled by the wind at the exit of the capital of the Turia that caused many kilometres of peloton in line and triggered situations that led to some crashes.

In one of these incidents, without major consequences, Andrea Montoli was involved, additionally weighed down by a puncture when he was pedalling to return to the discipline of the peloton.

It was an opening day with several breakaways, but no consistent movement. In a group, with a variable number of members that went from five to seven units, Martin himself was present.

The rider from Seville, with the race already on the final circuit around Barxeta in which there were several passes over the Alto del Sapo, even crowned first one climb. In the end it was the sprint, where Mikel Retegi won.

This Friday is possibly the most demanding day given the size of the last of its passes, the Alto del Garbí, which has significant ramps and is sure to break up the race in the fight for the overall, with the finish less than 20 kilometres from the top.

[📷 Noelia Ramírez / Federación Ciclismo Comunitat Valenciana (1,3)]