The opening stage from Segorbe down to the Mediterranean coast at Torreblanca was the most straightforward of the week's road days, a rolling 160 km run that funnelled toward a bunch sprint. The breakaway was reeled in and the sprint trains assembled for the run-in. Biniam Girmay, opening his account with the new NSN Cycling Team, timed his effort to perfection to take the win ahead of Arne Marit and Giovanni Lonardi. The result handed Girmay the leader's jersey, which he would defend through the next two days.

With time bonuses on a bunch-sprint stage, Biniam Girmay moved into the overall lead. The GC men finished safely in the bunch on the same time, leaving the general classification effectively level pending the Stage 2 time trial.