Vuelta a Andalucia: Maxim Van Gils wins stage 1 into Cueva de Nerja

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Maxim van Gils took his first victory in the colours of his new team, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, on a challenging opening day at the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista del Sol. The Queen stage of the race, stage 1 set the tone for the remaining four days of racing, with Van Gils assuming control of the yellow leader’s jersey, on the same time as Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).

It was a strong showing from UAE, who had two out of three riders in the trio that contested the race final, and finished the day with three riders in the top four. Wellens and Pavel Sivakov used their numerical advantage repeatedly in an attempt to drop Van Gils, but the 25-year-old Belgian held his nerve and remained with the duo heading under the flamme rouge.