Blythe nabs early race lead

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Adam Blythe (Omega Pharma - Lotto) won the field sprint deciding the Circuit France-Belge's 187.3km opening stage. One day shy of his 21st birthday, Blythe outkicked Gerald Ciolek (Milram) and Kristof Goddaert (AG2R La Mondiale) in Mouscron for the victory, the Briton's first of the season.

As a result of his win, Blythe also earned the first leader's jersey of the four-day stage race. The time bonus for winning the opening stage puts Blythe one second ahead of Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil) and four seconds ahead of Gérald Ciolek (Milram).

"I'm very happy," said Blythe. "This is my first win of the season. Moreover, I am also the overall leader.

"The team worked very hard for me today. We have a good team here and are therefore ready to defend the leader's jersey until the end."

The opening stage of Circuit Franco-Belge was dominated by a four-man break which formed after 58 kilometres of racing. The four escapees included Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil), Jakob Fuglsang (Saxo Bank), Damien Gaudin (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) and Thomas Degand (Verandas Willems).

The quartet's maximum advantage reached 5:33 upon entering the stage's first of three 19km finishing circuits, but a concerted chase led by RadioShack and Quick Step quickly reduced their lead. With 10km remaining the escapees still held a one-minute lead, but five kilometres later, after spending 124km off the front, they were absorbed as the peloton prepared for a bunch sprint finale.

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