Having both ridden strongly in recent races, Frank Schleck and Robert Kiserlovski lined up at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco with great ambitions. However, today's opening stage was decided on a short, steep climb that suited puncheurs with good positioning skills and this put the duo on the back foot right from the start of the race.

The 153.4-kilometer first stage of the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco included eight categorized climbs, with the final ascent of the day the short, but steep and narrow Alto de Gaintza (average gradient 13%). It was a punishing introduction to the six-day race, and the last leg-breaking uphill topped out with only 6.5 kilometers to go. T

he result was a complete sorting of the overall classification. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) soloed in for the win, 14 seconds in front of Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).  A small group of six sprinted in 34 seconds later, with Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) grabbing third.

Trek Factory Racing’s highest finishers were Robert Kiserlovski (21st) and Fränk Schleck (22nd) arriving with the second group (+58").

“Today was just a brutal, brutal climb at the end,” explained Fränk Schleck. “It was short, and very, very steep and you could not find a rhythm - a climb for punchers. First day and you come with lazy legs and it was a tough stage for everybody. 

"We should have been in the first group - Robert and me were the protected ones in the team - and we missed the first group because guys were at a standstill on the climb because it was so steep.

"We lost 58 seconds, not so bad, but it’s a pity because the team was working so well today. You should never be satisfied unless you win, so we need to analyze the next days to see what is coming to get the best out of it, and stay focused especially with the [Ardennes] Classics coming up.”

Movistar and Tinkoff-Saxo did the bulk of the work to tame the day’s breakaway of four riders, who were brought back to the fold with 25 kilometers remaining. The undulating parcours took its toll and by the penultimate climb the peloton was diminished to 40-50 riders. The pace into the last decisive climb was fierce, a single-lined battle for positioning, and by the top, with only a descent and a few kilometers remaining, the overall classification had taken an early shape.

“It was a very steep climb,” echoed director Kim Andersen, “But it is mostly like this in Pays Basque. For us maybe I was hoping for a little bit more, we were missing around 20 seconds with Robert and Fränk, but I have to say overall it went as I expected.

"I was hoping for Fränk to be maybe a little more in front, up there with the [Jean-Christophe] Péraud group since he was a strong as him last race. He was behind a bit on the downhill and went into last climb a bit too far back.  Overall, not great today, but I cannot say it’s too bad either; it was not the climb that is suited to our strengths.”