Team Colombia will have a tough time in the Tour du Poitou-Charentes which usually suits sprinters and time triallists. The South American team got the race off to a slow start but hopes to animate the upcoming stages.

Team Colombia enjoyed a quiet day in Tour of Poitou – Charentes’ opening stage (Jarnac – La Ronde 192,4 Km) which ended in a sprint win by Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step).

The Brit preceded French Maxime Daniel (AG2R – La Mondiale) and Belgian Roy Jans (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), and he conquered the first overall leader’s jersey, whilst Colombian Juan Pablo Valencia, 21st on the line, was the best Team Colombia rider on the day.

The first stage of the French race was characterized by a 4-man escape, Marcus Burghardt (BMC), Thomas Rostollan (La Pomme Marseille 13), Jonathan Dufrasne (Wallonie-Bruxelles) and Kevin Van Melsen (Wanty-Groupe Gobert). The breakaway group was caught by the peloton, led by Omega Pharma-Quick Step, with 40km to go.

“Today’s stage was controlled by Omega Pharma’s riders that captured all the escape attempts”, Valerio Tebaldi said. “We enjoyed a calm day, our goal is to begin the battle starting with tomorrow."

Tomorrow, the 2nd stage will take the Escarabajos from Marans to Niort.