Pérez blasts to Navarra opener

Ignacio Pérez of Azysa-Telo'm-Conor put on a show to win the first stage of the Vuelta a Navarra at a canter by soloing clear from 50 clicks out. Naturgas Energía got off to a decent start and has three riders still in contention.

The prestigious five-day event kicked off with a 148,2km leg from Lizarte to San Adrián. The 25-year-old Argentinian made his move on the cat.3 Alto de Olejua 48 kilometres from the line and was never to be seen again, finishing a potentially decisive 1:08 ahead of the first group of riders. This group was brought home by Wouter Wippert ahead of Eduard Prades, and contained reds Jon Larrinaga, Mikel Iturria and local boy Víctor Etxeberria.

It was a popular win for local outfit Azysa, who also brought with them powerhouse names like Borja Abasolo, Arkaitz Durán, Ariel Sivori and Nikki Terpstra's little brother, Mike. With such a huge gap going into the four remaining stages, it'll take one heck of an effort to dislodge Pérez, winner of the 2011 edition of the Vuelta a Extramadura.

Stage 1 results:

• 1, Gustavo Ignacio Pérez (Azysa), 3:34:39
• 2, Wouter Wippert (Lotto-Velisol), 1:08
• 3, Eduard Prades (Mopesa), s.t.
• 14, Jon Larrinaga (Naturgas Energía), s.t.
• 40, Víctor Etxberria (Naturgas Energía), s.t.
• 57, Mikel Iturria (Naturgas Energía), s.t.
• 79, Alain González (Naturgas Energía), 15:26
• 81, Francisco Javier Martín (Naturgas Energía), s.t
• 109, Alain Santamaría (Naturgas Energía), 17:02 
• 110, Karl Baudron (Naturgas Energía), s.t.

Results from BiciCiclismo.

Photo: www.fundacioneuskadi.com