Tunja (Colombia) (AFP)
Ecuadorian Jonathan Caicedo took the lead of the Tour of Colombia on Tuesday after the first stage, a team time trial over 16.7 km in Tunja (center) and won by the American team Education First .
Education First (EF) won in 18:01 minutes, at 2,700 meters above sea level, 45 seconds ahead of the Quick Step led by Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe. Egan Bernal's British team Ineos (ex-Sky) completes the podium, 46 seconds from the head.
"We are going to see how we can re-examine the (strategy of) the race, we really did not expect to waste so much time, our strategy must change," said Egan Bernal, 23, at the finish.
The men in pink from EF arrived at four, after the dropping of Colombian Rigoberto Uran, back on the roads after his heavy fall at the 2019 Tour of Spain.
Jonathan Caicedo, 26, will defend his orange leader's jersey on Wednesday during the second stage, which will take place between the localities of Pipa and Duitama, on a 152.4 km loop.
A total of 161 riders from 27 teams, including six teams from the World Tour category, are participating in this second edition of the Tour of Colombia.
- Classification of the 1st stage:
1. Education First (USA) 18:01.
2. Deceuninck-Quick Step (BEL) 18:46.
3. Team Ineos (ENG) 18:47.
4. Rally Cycling (USA) 19:00.
5. UEA Team Emirates (UAE) 19:01.
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