This page contains the stage podium, the race story, GC implications after the stage, and per-rider performance. Read no further if you intend to watch this stage unspoiled.
Demi Vollering opened the race exactly to the script, attacking on the Alt de Barx and soloing the final ~18.7 km to win alone in Gandia and take the first leader's jersey. Maeva Squiban won the reduced-group sprint for second, +52", with Viktória Chladoňová third.
The 113 km loop from Gandia back to Gandia hinged on the Alt de Barx, the 6 km climb that crests just under 20 km from the line. FDJ United-SUEZ lit the climb at its base to thin the bunch, and Vollering was the first to attack, going clear over the top with only Antonia Niedermaier able to follow.
When the move stalled, Vollering attacked again with about 18.7 km remaining, dropped Niedermaier and committed to a long solo. She extended the gap across the plateau and the descent into Gandia and won alone by a clear margin. Behind, a reduced chase of around nine riders sprinted for the minor places: Maeva Squiban took second and Viktória Chladoňová third, both at +52". The win, plus the time bonus, handed Vollering the first leader's jersey of the race.
Vollering leads the GC after Stage 1 with the time bonus on top of her solo margin, ahead of Squiban (+0:56 on GC) and Chladoňová (+0:58), with Niedermaier and Ottestad heading the next group. Chladoňová's ride also put her into the white youth jersey. With a sprint-friendly Stage 2 to come and the queen stage looming, the GC battle was already shaped around Vollering's climbing.
A textbook season-opener. After her FDJ team softened the bunch on the Alt de Barx, Vollering attacked over the top, shed Niedermaier when the cooperation broke down, and rode the final ~18.7 km solo to win alone and take the leader's jersey. The same Barx blow she has used here before, executed cleanly on day one.
The only rider able to follow Vollering's first Barx acceleration, but unable or unwilling to commit to the move; once Vollering went again she was distanced and dropped back to the chase, eventually fourth on the day at +1:02 and into the GC top five.