Thomas in the mix as Boasson Hagen wins Tour of Valencia time-trial
Elite cyclists tackle Spain's Tour of Vanencia as they bid to find early season form
Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen outshone world champion Alejandro Valverde and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas to win the opening time-trial of the Tour of Valencia on Wednesday. A swathe of elite cyclists have chosen this five-day race, won by Valverde in 2018, as part of their early-season bid to get back to top form. Boasson Hagen of the SA Dimension Data team completed the 10.2km run through the town of Orihuela, past the surrounding, sun-kissed orange groves and up a short, sharp final climb to a seminary in 12min 54sec. Astana’s Spanish rider Ion Izagirre was 5sec behind in second with Germany’s former time-trial world champion Tony Martin third at 6sec. “It was really nice to finally win again, I was nervous with [Alejandro] Valverde and Geraint [Thomas] and I was watching them come up the last climb,” said Boasson Hagen. “Now I’ll take it day by day, I’ll fight as much as possible to keep the lead.” Thomas, wearing his British champion red, white and blue shirt, suffered ...
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