Results Gran Camiño 2026 Stage 1 | Julius Johansen storms to victory for UAE as Ivan Romeo’s hopes end in puncture drama
Cycling
The opening stage of O Gran Camiño 2026 delivered late drama in A Coruna, as Julius Johansen produced a stunning ride to win the 15km individual time trial and take the first leader’s jersey.
The UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider overturned a tightly contested leaderboard in the closing minutes, stopping the clock at 17:43 to decisively beat the field.
Johansen turns the race on its head late
For much of the afternoon, the benchmark time had changed hands repeatedly. Early on, Abel Balderstone set the first serious target before Jørgen Nordhagen raised the level with a strong ride. That was then surpassed by Nelson Oliveira, before compatriot Rafael Reis edged into the lead in what had become a closely fought battle at the top.
But everything changed with the final wave of riders. Johansen was already fastest through the intermediate checkpoints and carried that speed all the way to the line, taking the stage win by over 15 seconds. Reis held on for second place at +15 seconds, with Oliveira just behind at +16 seconds, while Nordhagen’s earlier effort was enough for fourth.
Yates limits losses as GC begins to form
Among the overall contenders, Adam Yates delivered a solid opening ride to finish sixth at 40 seconds down. On a course where time gaps were always likely to be limited, it is a result that keeps him well placed heading into the remaining stages.
Puncture ends Romeo’s challenge
There was frustration for Ivan Romeo, who had shown strong early pace and set the fastest time at the first intermediate checkpoint. However, a puncture midway through the course ended his chances of fighting for the stage win, and he ultimately finished outside the top 10 after losing significant time.
Mechanical issues also affected other riders, with Davide Formolo encountering problems on the same section of road.
With the first gaps now established, O Gran Camiño heads into Stage 2 with Johansen in yellow and the general classification already taking shape after a dramatic opening day.
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
- I'm picking .... .... Never mind 🫥flyer07-11-2026
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