Having crashed out of the Giro d'Italia, Kanstantsin Siutsou is one of several riders in contention for a spot on the Sky roster for the Tour de France and this week he is trying to convince the management to select him for the world's biggest race at the Route du Sud. The Belarusian put in a strong attack on the final climb in today's first stage to probe that he is ready for the challenge while youngster Ian Boswell sprinted to sixth when Siutsou had been brough back.

Ian Boswell produced a strong climb and turn of speed to claim eighth position on the opening stage at Route du Sud.

The American was part of a strong performance from Team Sky in the closing stages as the team hit the front to push the pace on the climb into the finish in Payolle.

Jesus Herrada won the opening stage after jumping clear on the final climb of the day to take his first win of the season.

The Movistar rider soloed to victory after attacking out of the dwindling peloton with three kilometres to go and the Spanish national champion was joined on the podium by team-mate Alejandro Valverde who won the sprint for second ahead of Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ).

Kanstantsin Siutsou also finished inside the elite front group after pushing clear of the peloton in the closing kilometres. The Belarusian carved out a gap of 15 seconds on the climb before being hauled back by the Movistar squad, but was still able to pull on the mountain's jersey after the stage.

It was the Spanish squad who enjoyed a one-two finish on the day and Herrada will head into the mountainous second stage in the leader’s jersey.

“The guys were ready from the start," sports director Kurt-Asle Arvesen confirmed. "We were looking to get into the break if a big move went but in the end it was only four guys which was a good situation. After that it was a case of sitting towards the front and making sure to eat and drink. It was over 30 degrees today so the peloton got through a lot of bidons.

“In the final the plan was to be up there for the lumpy finish. The guys took it on and then Kosta attacked. Movistar brought him back and then they countered. We missed having a guy there but Ian and Kosta were able to get in the front group. Ian did a nice job to take eighth and Kosta took the climber’s jersey.

“It was a good team effort. The guys were all supporting each other. It’s nice to see Ian going well like this. He’s on form and we’ll look forward to tomorrow.”