Three races had Movistar Team riders in action, the most important of them being the first stage of the Route du Sud, a 203km journey from Lourdes to Auch. Steven Tronet (AUB) won an uphill sprint in the Place de la République to take the first orange jersey after a flurry of attacks jeopardized the bunch’s chances, with lots of non-rated climbs tackled in the final 20k.

Soler, Sütterlin and Dowsett - in the beginning - plus Erviti, Dayer Quintana, Sanz and Gadret all took care of Nairo Quintana, who finished the stage unscathed in the middle of the bunch. The Colombian will have to stay focused tomorrow in another hilltop finish in Saint-Gaudens, before his chances dramatically increase with Saturday’s big climbs to Bagnères-de-Luchon. 

Thousands of kilometers eastward, Belarus’ Vasil Kiryienka claimed gold in the time trial of the Baku European Games, a completely flat route of 52km where Jesús Herrada took 9th place at 2’51”. The Mota del Cuervo-based rider started strongly, clocking the sixth fastest time after 13km, to later struggle against the gusty winds and intense heat in the Azeri coast. Herrada will compete alongside Mas, Barbero, Vicioso and Luis León Sánchez - winner of today’s bronze medal - at Sunday’s road race.