GreenEdge win again as Albasini takes Catalunya opener

2010 Tour of Britain winner Michael Albasini continued GreenEdge's solid start to the season by winning the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya.

The Swiss rider attacked from a three-man group on the third-category Alt de Collsacreu 15km from the finish in the seaside town of Calella, and held on to take a comfortable victory.

His breakaway companions Anthony Delaplace (Saur-Sojasun) Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) stayed clear of the peloton to complete the podium, while Kenny Van Hummel won the bunch sprint for fourth.

Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins seemingly had a trouble-free day, and finished within the main group. 

Two days after Simon Gerrans won Milan-San Remo, teammate Michele Albasini takes stage one of the Tour of Catalonia.

Paris-Nice victor Bradley Wiggins rides comfortably in the bunch. 

Results

Volta a Catalunya 2012 stage one: Calella-Calella, 138.9km

1. Michael Albasini (Sui) GreenEdge in 3-20-04

2. Anthony Delaplace (Saur-Sojasun) at 42 seconds

3. Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) at 1-14

4. Kenny Van Hummel (Vacansoleil-DCM) at 1-32

5. Ben Gastauer (Ag2r-La Mondiale)

6. Roger Kluge (Project 1T4i)

7. Allan Davis (GreenEdge)

8. Fabio Sabatini (Liquigas)

9. Davide Appolloino (Team Sky)

10. Francesco Gavazzi (Astana)

General classification after stage one

1. Michael Albasini (Sui) GreenEdge in 3-20-04

2. Anthony Delaplace (Saur-Sojasun) at 42 seconds

3. Nicolas Edet (Cofidis)at 1-14

4. Kenny Van Hummel (Vacansoleil-DCM) at 1-32

5. Ben Gastauer (Ag2r-La Mondiale) at st.