Alexander Kristoff wins opening sprint at the 2023 Tour of Algarve

Norwegian Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Pro Cycling team), won the opening Sprint at the  49th Tour of the Algarve after 200 kilometers of racing

Alexander Kristoff hotly contested sprint at the finish in Lagos, beating Belgian Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) and teammate Soren Waerenskjold (Uno-X Pro Cycling).

An early break of 7 riders went clear from the bunch and were eventually caught with 11 km to go, as riders including Tim Declerq (Soudal - Quick Step) chased them down before the final bunch sprint.

With 9 kilometers to go, half a dozen cyclists were on the ground, at least two had to be treated by race medical services after falling over a wall further including Suter.

Stage 2 tomorrow is 186 kilometers with from Sagres and finishes atop the Alto de Fóia (1st Cat. with 7.7 km at 6.1%).

VIDEO: 2023 Tour of Algarve Stage 1 Sprint

2023 Tour of Algarve Stage 1 Top 10

1  KRISTOFF Alexander Uno-X Pro Cycling Team 4:49:25
2  MEEUS Jordi BORA - hansgrohe 0:00
3  WÆRENSKJOLD Søren Uno-X Pro Cycling Team 0:00
4  JAKOBSEN Fabio Soudal - Quick Step 0:01
5  PIDCOCK Thomas INEOS Grenadiers 0:01
6  BITTNER Pavel Team DSM 0:01
7  PENHOËT Paul Groupama - FDJ 0:01
8  TESFATSION Natnael Trek - Segafredo 0:01
9  KIELICH Timo Alpecin-Deceuninck 0:01
10  THEUNS Edward Trek - Segafredo 0:01