Orihuela Volta a la Comunitat launches Valenciana
It was one of the big favorites and it did not fail Eritrean Biniam Girmay of Intermarché-Circus-Wwanty at the finish in Orihuela-Altea. Starting from the last 200 meters, he asserted his authority over rivals and became the first leader of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, known as the Gran Premi Banc de Sabadell, after a controversial first stage from Orihuela to Altea on a day marked by heat and tension.
This event also showcased a renewed Girmay, one of last season’s sensations, expected to carry momentum into the current campaign. Spaniard García Cortina finished third, behind Movistar teammates José Joaquín Rojas and Álex Aranburu, with Olav Kooij of Jumbo-Visma close behind.
The race rolled through a medium mountain profile, with the peloton nearly eclipsing two category two climbs, the Rates and Bernia passes. The final descent and the last ten kilometers did not decide the winner, yet the Valencia corridor of Euskaltel-Euskadi featured a key moment when a Valencia-based rider attempted a late move. The ultimate objective remained a sprint among a large group, where the Eritrean rider left opponents with little room to respond.
View from the start of the stage in Orihuela
On a day that tested patience, Pello Bilbao led Bahrain Victory with a steady show of control, guiding the race across the two climbs and dampening surprises that could threaten the Basque rider’s prospects for the general classification in this edition of the race.
The opening phase of the Volta’s 74th edition was largely quiet, with minor accelerations and no major crashes. A late split saw Carretero, Okamika, Isasa, Lucca and Vanhoof gain almost a three-minute advantage as the peloton rode toward Coll de Rates with about 75 kilometers to go.
Gaining momentum in the final part of the first climb, Bahrain Victory and its fast-moving squad pressed on with de la Volta and the international peloton. Marc Soler surged to first place at the summit, and the rapid descent carried a risk of a split, which fortunately did not materialize as most of the group rode through Parcent with fewer than fifty riders remaining for the finish.
There was a sense that a group of twenty could still cause a shake-up, including fast sprinter Kristoff and other contenders. The Bernia climb kept the tempo high, with Caruso leading the pack on the first ramps and Pello Bilbao’s team focusing on the overall lead as the day progressed.
The pace remained fierce and the field shed riders regularly. The Mediterranean backdrop provided a scenic contrast as the peloton neared Altea, where a late flurry from Bahrain’s squad kept the race honest and pointed toward a decisive finish on the lights of the climb to the line.
The peloton, now down to about fifty riders, crossed the 20-kilometer banner and Bilbao’s team eased off the front, setting the stage for a vigorous sprint battle. Jumbo and Movistar signaled that Altea represented a strong option to secure the stage win, with Arcas leading the group as the climb to the line unfolded.
On the final ascent of the day, Valencia-born rider Joan Bou attempted a breakaway from the group, clinging to a six-kilometer gap before the peloton reeled him in at the approach to Altea. Intermarché’s Girmay re-emerged as the decisive force, claiming the stage victory without surrender.
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana starts in Alicante without Ayuso
The second stage is set to begin the following morning, starting at the Novelda Velodrome and finishing in Benissa. The course features seven scoring points and will continue to wear down the riders while clarifying the overall classification challenge. A repeat sprint remains a distinct possibility for the day’s outcome.