The World Tour season opened with a stage over 135 kilometres from Nuriootpa to Angaston, the opening stage of the Tour Down Under. A tough climb in the final caused a split in the peloton.
Four OPQS riders managed to stay in the first part of the peloton, which sprinted for the win in the streets of Angaston. Australian champion Simon Gerrans (Orica - Greenedge) took the stage win beating Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) and Steele vaon Hoff (Garmin-Sharp).OPQS rider Carlos Verona finished 15th, and Julian Alaphilippe 20th.
Verona will start the second stage in the "best young rider" jersey.
Tour Down Under Stage 1
1 Simon Gerrans (Aus) 3:20:23
2 Andre Greipel (Ger) s.t.
3 Steele von Hoff (Aus) s.t.
4 Simon Geschke (Ger) s.t.
5 Diego Ulissi (Ita) s.t.
OPQS
15. Carlos Verona +04"
20. Julian Alaphilippe s.t.
42. Serge Pauwels s.t.
44. Jan Bakelants s.t.
76. Mark Renshaw + 2'21"
85. Matteo Trentin s.t.
86. Andrew Fenn s.t.