Benoit Vaugrenard of Team FDJeux grabs the opening stage of the 2010 Volta a Algarve via a surprise attack that left several other sprinters in the dust. The Frenchman finished ahead of Joan Horrach (Katusha), who finished second, and Andre Greipel (HTC-Columbia) who finished third.
The starting bunch of riders in the first stage of this year’s Volta a Algarve included several sprinters hungry for a win, including defending champion Alberto Contador (Team Astana) who is always on the prowl for a victory in any race he’s in.
However, the 2009 Tour de France champion looked helpless as his attack near the final stretch failed to deliver him to the finish line. The main pack easily caught up with Team Astana’s star and Contador never had a chance to go for the win again.
Vaugrenard caught a tailwind just in time while sensing an opportunity to sprint…
