Frantic closing in the first phase of Itzulia Basque Country who had an Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) in sixth place, in a sprint that was won by his former teammate, the British Ethan Hayter. The test on Spanish soil also includes performances tricolor Jonathan Caicedo and Jefferson Cepeda.

Protagonist in the last kilometers of the first faction, Carapaz managed to keep sixth place, in a sprint in which Hayter (Ineso Grenadiers) was the strongest. and with the closing of the day as the first leader of the race.

Volta a Catalunya: Richard Carapaz the most belligerent; Primož Roglić, winner

The day ended with a 165.4 kilometer route between Vitoria-Gasteiz and Labastida. Hayther defeated the Swiss Maur Schmid (Soudal-Quick Step) and Spaniard Jon Aberasturi (Trek-Segafredo), second and third respectively. Spanish Alex Aranburu (Movistar) finished fourth, the Venezuelan champion fifth Orluis Aular (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) and the sixth Carapaz, all with the same time: 4 hours 01 minutes 24 seconds.

Hayther crossed the finish line ahead of a field of 122 runnersamong them an Ecuadorian Jefferson Cepeda (Caja Rural), who has the same record at location 112. With a reduction of 21 seconds, carchense entered the goal Jonathan Caicedo (EF), in position 123.

With 10 bonus seconds at the finish line, Hayther leads the overall standings ahead of Schmid and Aberasturi, with a gap of four and six seconds. Dane Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), one of the favorites for the title, is fifth overall, 8 seconds behind the Briton. Carapaz is the tenth (+10), Cepeda 112 and caicedo 123both at 31 seconds.

tuesday day the second of the six stages the race, which takes place in the Basque territory, Basque Country and Navarre, will be 193.8 kilometers between Viana and Leitza with two mountain awards in the third category and three other categories, as well as two intermediate sprints. (D)