Defending champion Primož Roglic wins first stage of Vuelta a España

Primož Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) put in a late attack on the Alto de Arrate to win stage one of the Vuelta a España 2020 ahead of Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers)

At the Vuelta a España, defending champion Primož Roglic is looking to avenge his season after losing the Tour de France to compatriot Tadej Pogacar–something he took a big step towards by winning Liege-Bastogne-Liege–and he flew his flag with a victory on Tuesday’s mountainous opening stage.

It was the first time the Vuelta started in the Basque Country since 1961 and the fifth time overall. Stage 1 wasn’t a good one for Michael Woods, as the Canadian crashed at a critical juncture of the finale and lost over 16 minutes.

Woods was supporting Dani Martinez, who faced Richard Carapaz, Dani Martinez, Thibaut Pinot, Tom Dumoulin, Roglic, Enric Mas, Alejandro Valverde, Emanuel Buchmann and Guillaume Martin.

With his Ineos Grenadiers on the front Chris Froome was distanced and came in over 11 minutes after the winner. Thibaut Pinot faded back too and lost almost 10 minutes.

Sepp Kuss attacked with 4.7 km to climb. Carapaz, Roglic , Mas, Hugh Carthy, and Dan Martin clung onto the leading group. Behind Esteban Chaves brought over two others, George Bennett and Felix Grossschartner.

Bennett couldn’t hold teammate Kuss’s pace. Behind, the closest chase group contained Valverde and Dumoulin some 15 seconds behind.

Carthy attacked, but could only drop Kuss. Roglic attacked at the Flamme Rouge and would not be denied; he has now won at least one stage in all seven Grand Tours he has started.

Slovenians won stages in both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta on Tuesday.

The mountainous first week continues on Wednesday. A 9 km, 7.9 percent climb crests 17 km from the finish in Lekunberri.

VIDEO: 2020 La Vuelta Stage 1 Highlights

2020 La Vuelta Stage 1 Top 10

1 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma 4:22:34
2 Richard Carapaz (Ecu) Ineos Grenadiers 0:00:01
3 Daniel Martin (Irl) Israel Start-Up Nation 0:00:01
4 Esteban Chaves (Col) Mitchelton-Scott 0:00:01
5 Felix Grossschartner (Aut) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:01
6 Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:01
7 Hugh Carthy (GBr) EF Pro Cycling 0:00:04
8 Sepp Kuss (USA) Team Jumbo-Visma 0:00:10
9 George Bennett (NZl) Team Jumbo-Visma 0:00:40
10 Andrea Bagioli (Ita) Deceuninck-Quickstep 0:00:51

2020 La Vuelta GC after Stage 1 Top 10

1 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma 04:22:24
2 Richard Carapaz (Ecu) Ineos Grenadiers 00:00:05
3 Daniel Martin (Irl) Israel Start-Up Nation 00:00:07
4 Esteban Chaves (Col) Mitchelton-Scott 00:00:11
5 Felix Grossschartner (Aut) Bora-Hansgrohe 00:00:11
6 Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar Team 00:00:11
7 Hugh Carthy (GBr) EF Pro Cycling 00:00:14
8 Sepp Kuss (USA) Team Jumbo-Visma 00:00:20
9 George Bennett (NZl) Team Jumbo-Visma 00:00:50
10 Andrea Bagioli (Ita) Deceuninck-Quickstep 00:01:01