Green Edge's Michael Albasini won the opening stage of the 92nd Volta A Catalunya this afternoon.
Bradley Wiggins, fresh from his Paris-Nice triumph, was amongst the big names who started in Calella for this 138.9km stage.
Five riders of Anthony Delaplace, Ben Gasteur, Tim Duggan, Nicolas Edet and Michael Albasini, finally got away. They got to six minutes clear before the peloton started to close them down and with less than forty kilometres to go, the gap was 3.40.
Green Edge's Michael Albasini, who won the first sprint of the day ahead of Saur Sojourn's Delaplace who won the second sprint, went away on his own, leaving the fragmented quartet behind him.
Albasini was first over the l'Alt de Collsacreu with 18kms left and the Sant De Pol Mar with six kilometres to go. He kept going and in glorious sunshine, took the stage in 5:18.57.
Delaplace, who will wear the points jersey tomorrow, was second with Edet third. The peloton came in shortly after with Kenny Van Hummel leading the chasers.
Tomorrow's stage is 161km around Girona, which is the home to a good number of riders including Wiggins.