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Madrid - Dutchman Pim Ligthart claimed a crash affected first stage of the Ruta del Sol in a sprint finish ahead of Portugal's Fabio Silvestre and Slovenian Grega Bole on Wednesday.
The Lotto-Soudal rider edged the 118.3 kilometre ride from La Rabida to Hinojos in Andalusia by two seconds after a crash three kilometres from the finish line split the peloton in two.
Former Tour de France winners Alberto Contador and Chris Froome weren't affected as they finished among the leading group.
The second part of an opening split stage will see the riders tackle an 8.2km individual time trial through Coria del Rio later on Wednesday.
Results from stage 1A of the Ruta del Sol, a 118.3km ride from La Rabida to Hinojos on Wednesday:
1. Pim Ligthart (NED/LTS) 3hr 01min 44sec, 2. Fabio Silvestre (POR/TFR) at 02sec, 3. Grega Bole (SLV/CCC) s.t., 4. Michael Van Staeyen (BEL/COF) s.t., 5. Tyler Farrar (USA/MTN) s.t., 6. Mirko Selvaggi (ITA/WGG) s.t., 7, Edward Theuns (BEL/TSV) s.t., 8. Maciej Paterski (POL/CCC) s.t., 9. Daniele Ratto (ITA/UHC) s.t., 10. Sjoerd Van Ginneken (NED/ROO) s.t.
Selected:
14. Chris Froome (GBR/SKY) s.t.
