Cycling news - Joao Almeida beats Bauke Mollema and Marc Hirschi in sprint on Stage 1 of Tour of Luxembourg

Updated 14/09/2021 at 15:38 GMT

Joao Almeida beat Bauke Mollema and Marc Hirschi in a sprint finish on Stage 1 of the Tour of Luxembourg. Almeida claimed his fifth victory of the year as he left it late to beat his rivals to the line. Stage Two on Wednesday is over 186.1km and features several climbs before a ramp up to the finish line.

Tour de Luxembourg Highlights: Catch up with everything from the opening stage

Joao Almeida won a thrilling sprint finish on the opening stage of the Tour of Luxembourg.

The Deceuninck–Quick-Step rider left it late before coming round to beat Bauke Mollema (Trek–Segafredo) and Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates) to the line.

It is Almeida's fifth victory of the year and he becomes the first Portuguese rider since Acacio da Silva in 1990 to win a stage at the race.

Tour de Luxembourg

Highlights: Almeida claims overall win at the Tour de Luxembourg

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18/09/2021 at 22:14

'Superb effort!' - Watch finish as Almeida takes opening stage in Luxembourg

The 81st edition of the five-stage Tour of Luxembourg opened with a 140km route that saw a six-rider breakaway form containing Jack Bauer (BikeExchange), Sebastian Schonberger (B&B Hotels), Kenny Molly (Bingoal), Angel Fuentes Paniego (Burgos) Evaldas Siskevicius (Delko) and Emerson Oronte (Rally).

Siskevicious and Oronte were eventually dropped and the remaining four were caught with 10km remaining as they tackled the final climb of the day.

From there it was about getting set up for the sprint to the line. Hirschi looked to be well positioned down the final straight but Almeida burst through to claim victory.

Stage Two is over 186.1km and features several climbs before a ramp up to the finish line.