Froome in form as Bilbao wins Stage 1 of the Tour of the Alps

Chris Froome launches a counter attack against Fabio Aru on the final climb

The opening stage of the Tour of the Alps, as it's name suggests was pretty hilly, featuring 2,530 meters (8,300 feet) of climbing - the stage being a warmup for tomorrow's (Tuesday April 17th) Queen Stage.

A breakaway containing 5 riders  hit the final climb with 22 kms to go. FDJ set the pace early on with Team Sky taking over as thay started to reel in the breakaway with a very high tempo being set. Some of the peloton were shelled out the back and with 13 kms to go, the breakaway was caught.

Thibaut Pinot was the first to attack but was brought back by Team Sky's train. 

But it was Fabio Aru who decided to light the touch paper next and got a bit of daylight until Froome followed and then put in his own counter attack. 

Only Pinot, Pozzovivo, Bennett could follow. Lopez bridged across, with Aru slightly distanced.

Team Astana launched Pello Bilbao off the front, and behind there was no real emphasis to bring him back, with the favorites marking each other.

Team mate Louis Leon Sanchez and Ivan Ramiro put in an acceleration, but behind favorites Froome, Bennett and Pozzovivo crossed the line with Aru trailing by four seconds.

Giro d'Italia contenders Froome, Bennett and Pozzovivo, Aru all look to be in form.

With the initial stage Froome, Bennett and Pozzovivo and Aru have all increased their odds at the bookmakers, with the Giro d'italia less than 3 weeks away.

Tomorrow's Queen Stage should be a decisive stage, as one of the favorites will surely lay down some cards and put their mark on the race.

Don't miss tomorrow's coverage from 8:00 EST, 13:00 BST and 14:00 CEST.

VIDEO: 2018 Tour of the Alps Stage 1 Highlights

2018 Tour of the Alps Top 10 Stage 1

1 Pello Bilbao (Spa) Astana Pro Team 3:26:41 
2 Luis León Sánchez (Spa) Astana Pro Team 0:00:06 
3 Ivan Ramiro Sosa Cuervo (Col) Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec   
4 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ 0:00:10 
5 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky   
6 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Bahrain-Merida   
7 George Bennett (NZl) LottoNL-Jumbo   
8 Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Bardiani CSF   
9 Ben Hermans (Bel) Israel Cycling Academy   
10 Fabio Aru (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:14 

Pello Bilbao dedicates win to the late Michele Scarponi

Spaniard Pello Bilbao has won the first stage of the Tour of the Alps, an opportunity he took to honour the late Michele Scarponi.

One year ago, Scarponi took the victory and leader's jersey in the first stage of the Tour of the Alps, just days before he was killed when a truck ran him over while training. Today, his teammates wanted to remember him on this special day.

"Exactly one year ago it was Michele Scarponi, who won the first stage and took this leader’s jersey," said Bilbao at the end of the stage. "He is always in our minds and day by day we are racing remembering him. I am happy to take this jersey today and I want to dedicate it to Michele. This is a great opportunity for me and the whole team to do it."

Tomorrow's Queen Stage

Stage 2 of the 2018 Tour of the Alps gets off from the Lavarone’s plateau, in Chiesa. After some starting up-and-downs, the track is characterized by a long descent leading from the Valico della Fricca’s tunnel to Calceranica al Lago, through Vattaro and Bosentino, after 20,5 Km. Here a lumpy segment starts, passing just by Caldonazzo and Levico Terme to reach Pergine Valsugana (Km 35). There begins the first climb of the stage: nearly 16 km through the enchanting Valle dei Mocheni will award the first Cat. 1 KoM of the Tour of the Alps 2018, placed atop the 1.455 mt of the Redebus Pass after 51,1 km. Even though it's the less challenging side of the mountain to be climbed (only in the final part the slope goes beyond 10%), the riders will still need to face a 980 mt altitude difference.

After crossing, a steep and fast descent with several hairpins bends will follow, but then the road will flatten through the town of Baselga di Pinè. Six more kilometers downhill will lead the pack to the provincial road crossing the Valle di Cembra, with a gentle but consistent ascent. In Lago di Lases (Km 70,7) a fixed aid station will be placed. Afterwards (Km 91), the intermediate sprint will wait for the riders in Sover, at Piscine. In Molina di Fiemme starts a long loop that will largely cross Val di Fiemme. The most challenging climb which merges SS 48 road through Castello di Fiemme - during the first passage will be considered as second daily KoM - in the heart of Cavalese (Km 108). Then Tesero and Ziano di Fiemme are quickly reached, then riding back along Avisio River and closing the Val di Fiemme loop when reaching again Molina di Fiemme (km 130,9 km). When riding again the climb in Castello di Fiemme, we face the determining moments of this stage: after 6,4 flat kilometers to reach Tesero, the ascent to Alpe di Pampeago - Fiemme will begin: a climb with a maximum gradient at nearly 15%, and whose slopes never get below 10% in the last 4 km to the final banner. There is absolutely no doubt: a talented climber will be the one to raise his arms on the Alpe di Pampeago. Moreover, on top of Alpe di Pampeago, the overall placings start to be clearer, highlighting the main possible winner of Tour of the Alps.