At the Vuelta a Asturias, Amets Txurruka of Caja Rural-Seguros RGA won today’s opening stage between Oviedo and Pola de Lena as the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA ignited the inaugural stage of the three day race.

During the 157km maiden stage the riders faced 4 categorised climbs, including the Cuchu Puercu (11 km at an average 6,8 % gradient) topping out at 30km from the finish line and the Carabanzo (2.2 km, 9.4 %) with barely 6km to go.

The opening 50km of the stage saw an avalanche of unsuccessful breakaway attempts before a 9 man group consisting of Jon Aberasturi (Euskaltel-Euskadi), David Belda (Burgos BH), Luis Mas Bonet (Burgos BH), Mikel Aristi (Fundación Euskadi), Cesar Nicolas Paredes (472 Colombia), Lucas Gaday (Argentina), Domingos Goncalves (Radio Popular - Onda), Raul Alarcon (Louletano) and Luis Afonso (LA Antarte) finally managed to break clear.

With an undulating, climb-laden stage, however, and the determined efforts of Team Movistar in the peloton, the breakaway never established a commanding lead and on the final climb of the stage, the peloton had bridged the gap and took on the final challenge of the day, albeit in tatters.

On the descent from Carabanzo Amets Txurruka launched an offensive that would prove triumphant. Even though he never built up more than a five second lead, Txurruka was able to keep the disorganized pursuers at bay and claim the stage and the overall lead.

Result, stage 1:

1 Amets Txurruka - Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
2 Jorge Martín Montenegro - Louletano 0.04”
3 Mikel Landa - Euskaltel-Euskadi
4 Ever Alexander Rivera - 472-Colombia
5 Andre Cardoso - Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
6 Delio Fernández - OFM-Quinta da Lixa
7 Javier Moreno - Movistar Team
8 Moisés Dueñas - Burgos BH
9 Arkaitz Duran - Spanien
10 Peio Bilbao - Euskaltel-Euskadi
11 Marcos García - Caja Rual-Seguros RGA
12 Haritz Orbe - Fundacion Euskadi 0.17”
13 Rubén Plaza - Movistar Team
14 Daniel Silva - Radio Popular Onda 0.36”
15 Fabricio Ferrari - Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0.43”