Gaviria won the first sprint of the Tour of Colombia with authority and confirmed Movistar’s great moment

It’s a good start Movistar team in the fourth edition of Tour of Colombia to the success of Fernando Gaviriamaking his debut this season on the first day of competition and adding his 52nd victory as a professional.

The first action of the coffee round presented a profile designed so that the day could be decided in a sprint. Two cyclists started as favorites in all pools: Colombian Fernando Gaviria and British Mark Cavendish -who is starting to warm up his legs to try to break the record he shares with the legendary Eddy Merckx at the Tour de France-, although at the last minute the Italian entered among them David Persico.

The first stage was fast, with three special sprints that quickened the pace and legs of the 144 cyclists starting the race. At the very beginning, a breakaway formed with 80 kilometers to go, they formed Ignacio Pardo (Canels Java), Diego Ochoa (Team Saitel), David Gómez (Team Sistecrédito), Lauro Moro (Swift Carbon Pro Cycling), Cristian Muñoz (Nu Colombia) and Iván Ojeda (Colombia Potencia de la Vida).

His margin on the race leader was never excessive and was behind at times Harold Lopez of Astana He gave it his all to try to close the gap on the escapees and let the fate of the day be decided by sprint.

Gradually the difference narrowed, until the first stage was decided in a sprint. The Movistar Team worked well Fernando Gaviriaand of The eyebrows He won with great authority on a slippery asphalt due to the rain.

Gaviria will defend this Tuesday the leadership of the second phase that does not quite fit his profile, having three ports in 168 kilometers from Paipa to Santa Rosa Viterboalthough they are less important.

CLASSIFICATIONS

1.Fernando Gaviria (Col/Movistar Team) 3h11’29”
2. Davide Persico (Ita/Bingoal WB)
3.Mark Cavendish (Gbr/Astana Qazaqstan Team)
4.Nelson Andrés Soto (Col/Petrolie)
5. Jonathan Restrepo (Col/Colombia)