Sebastian Molano showed a fast finish on the opening day of action at the Tour of Guangxi , taking third place in the sprint on stage 1 in Fangchenggang (149km).
Molano came from behind to rapidly close the gap but just ran out of road as Lionel Taminiaux (Lotto Dstny) took the victory ahead of Gijs Van Hoecke (Intermarche Wanty).
Molano : “I was missing a little bit today in the finish. Aside from the jetlag and hour change I think today the legs felt good and I think they will improve. It was a hectic finish as in the norm in these big roads but I managed it well. Our team is a bit more focussed on the climbs this week for the GC but I’ll be looking for my chances in the sprints for sure.”
The parcours took riders out from Fangchenggang, looping around the port city four times before the final sprint.
Stage 1 results
1. Lionel Taminiaux (Lotto Dstny) 3:17:58
2.Gijs Van Hoecke (Intermarche Wanty) s.t
3.Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
