Cycling fans, brace yourselves for a thrilling comeback story! Biniam Girmay has finally broken his year-long victory drought in the most spectacular fashion, clinching the opening stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in a nail-biting sprint finish. But here's where it gets even more exciting: this triumph marks his dream debut for NSN Cycling, leaving everyone wondering if this is just the beginning of a new era for the team. And this is the part most people miss—while Girmay stole the spotlight, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s Giulio Pellizzari launched a daring late attack that nearly upstaged the entire race. Was it a tactical masterstroke or a risky gamble? Let’s dive into the drama.
The stage was set for fireworks from the start, with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe taking control late in the race on the Cat 3 Puerto de los Madroños climb. With just 18 kilometers to go, they unleashed their young Italian prodigy, Pellizzari, who surged ahead with sheer determination. Meanwhile, an early breakaway featuring Mats Wenzel (Kern Pharma), Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polta VisitMalta), Danny van der Tuuk (Euskatel-Euskadi), and Lewis Adam (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery) had kept the peloton on edge for over 100 kilometers. Hamish Armitt (Novo Nordisk) briefly attempted to bridge the gap but soon rejoined the bunch, signaling that the break’s fate was sealed.
As the race approached the Puerto de los Madroños, the peloton’s pace intensified, and the break’s lead dwindled. Van der Tuuk claimed the first bonus at the summit, but the sight of team cars overtaking the escapees hinted at the inevitable—the bunch was closing in fast. Red Bull’s aggressive strategy paid off, reducing the front group to just 30 riders, including heavyweights like Remco Evenepoel and Aleksandr Vlasov. Notably absent were João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), raising questions about their race strategy.
But here’s the controversial part: Pellizzari’s late attack put rivals in a no-win situation. Chase him, and they’d inadvertently give Evenepoel a free ride to the GC lead. Ignore him, and Pellizzari could become a serious threat. The peloton ultimately chose to wait, swelling their numbers to over 70 riders, but Pellizzari’s 30-second lead proved stubbornly difficult to close, even with Bahrain Victorious, Ineos Grenadiers, and NSN leading the chase. It wasn’t until the final kilometers in Torreblanco that the Italian was reeled in, thanks to a relentless pursuit.
In the sprint finish, Ineos’ Ben Turner kicked things off, but Girmay was hot on his heels. His former Intermarché-Wanty teammate, Marit, tried to overtake but couldn’t match the Eritrean’s top speed. As Marit later admitted, ‘Bini isn’t the fastest accelerator, but once he hits top speed, he’s unstoppable.’ And that’s exactly what happened.
For NSN, this victory is their second of the season, following a stage win at the Tour Down Under. However, with stage two’s 17-kilometer time trial looming, Girmay’s lead is unlikely to last. Evenepoel, fresh off triumphs in Mallorca and a dominant Valenciana opener, is the favorite to take control of the GC. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Can anyone stop the Belgian juggernaut, or will he secure his third victory in less than a week? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Evenepoel is unbeatable, or is there a dark horse waiting to pounce?
Results powered by FirstCycling (https://firstcycling.com/)
About the author: Alasdair Fotheringham has been a cycling journalist since 1991, covering every Tour de France since 1992 (except one) and countless other races, from the Olympics to the Subida a Urkiola. His work has appeared in Cyclingnews, The Independent, The Guardian, ProCycling, The Express, and Reuters. Remember to confirm your public display name before joining the discussion!
