Colombia prevailed at the start of the Vuelta a Burgos 2023 through the runner Juan Sebastián Molano, who dominated the first stage of the competition, disputed over 161 kilometers between Villalba de Duero to Burgos and which included a third-category mountain pass.
The South American sprinter brought out all his class and took the win ahead of Spanish Iván García Cortina (Movistar Team) and Italian Edoardo Affini (Jumbo-Visma), who finished second and third, respectively.
The leak of the day was led by Ángel Fuentes (Burgos BH), Mattia Bais (Eolo-Kometa), Josu Etxebarria (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Xavier Berazategui (Euskaltel – Euskadi) and José María García (Electro Hiper Europa), but on the end were neutralized by the peloton.
The breakaways resisted even passing through the Alto de Aguilón located just over 20 kilometers from the finish line, but the illusion for the breakaway ended 12 kilometers from the finish line, as the peloton accelerated and maintained an intense pace in favor of the sprinters .
Definition to the sprint in which the Colombian always remained well located. Molano navigated the last curve to the right in a good way and they followed the movements in those final meters, but the final one was the one he himself starred in, with acceleration on the left to leave no doubts at the finish line. Arms up for the UAE Team Emirates cyclist who climbed onto the podium to put on the overall leader’s jersey.
“A very important victory for me. I come after difficult things. Two years ago I won here, this city has beautiful memories for me. Thank you all. This country is my second home, I also live here, and how can I forget that last stage of the Tour of Spain last year. Now all that remains is to enjoy”, expressed the Colombian on the podium according to the AS.com site.
This is Molano’s third victory this season, as he won the fourth stage of the UAE Tour and won the Denain-Porte du Hainaut Grand Prix in France.
The second day of this Vuelta a Burgos will be a 13.1-kilometre team time trial between Oña and Poza de La Sal. Although it does not have categorized ascents, the demand will increase in the last 3 km, when the terrain pikes upwards.