Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team sprinter Andrew Fenn had a clear line to the finish in the final meters, and placed 2nd to Elia Viviani (Liquigas-Cannondale) in the 117km Stage 1 of Tour of Beijing on Tuesday.
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky Pro Cycling) was 3rd.
OPQS did what they could to set up Fenn in the final kilometers, sending three riders to the front — and Iljo Keisse 2nd wheel at one point — to establish position. A tailwind kept the pace high as the peloton charged toward the finish. Fenn worked his way up to the front and center of the peloton, and gave it his best in the final meters with an unobstructed line to the finish line. Viviani was simply too strong on the left side, powering to victory.
Marco Bandiera was in the breakaway of the day for OPQS, with a gap reaching as much as 2 minutes and 40 seconds. The break held more than a minute gap going into the 12 lap finishing circuit. However, with 15.5km to go, the peloton reeled Bandiera and three other break mates in, and the fourth and final rider was soon also caught.
OPQS looks next to a crucial 126km Stage 2, with three categorized climbs. The stage was shortened from 134km to 126km, and features a 10.8km, 6.4% average gradient Cat 1 climb midway through the course. The stage is still sprinter friendly, but with enough climbing where a breakaway could succeed.