PREVIEW | Volta a Comunitat Valenciana 2023 stage 1 - Sprinters have their best opportunity to succeed on tricky hilly day

After a superb battle in 2022, Aleksandr Vlasov beat Remco Evenepoel for the victory at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana. In 2023 the race returns with five hilly and mountainous stages. The opening day may perhaps be the most sprinter friendly and will see some action over the hills, with the few fast men present looking to succeed on the first day.

The opening stage will take place from Orihuela to Altea over 189 kilometers. Perhaps the stage that is more leading towards a sprint, there will be an 8.5-kilometer long climb at 4.3% that summits with 35 kilometers to go. The finale is very tricky however and won't be easy to control as it features plenty downhill roads and the finale itself is far from purely flat.

*** Girmay, Cortina
** Kristoff, Wright, Aranburu
* Kooij, Mohoric, Bilbao, Molano, Aniolkowski

Pick: Biniam Girmay