Modolo wins in Esbjerg

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Colnago's Sacha Modolo proved the quickest and most attentive in the first stage of the Tour of Denmark, The Italian avoided being split out in the crosswinds, and was able to muscle past hometown favorites Matti Breschel (Rabobank) and Michael Mørkøv (Saxo Bank) to take the stage victory and the overall race lead.

The peloton split in the strong winds en route to the finish in Esbjerg, and several of the Tour's general classification favorites were caught out. Three-time Tour winner Jakob Fuglsang (Leopard Trek) and Michael Rasmussen (Christina Watches-Ofone) were amongst the group that finished 1:34 down.

The 171km stage began with the obligatory breakaway from the gun. In the group of four were René Jørgensen (Christina Watches-Ofone), Nikola Aistrup (Team Concordia Forsikring - Himmerland), Alessandro Bazzana (Team Type 1 - Sanofi) and Patrick Clausen (Denmark). The peloton allowed the group to gain more than six minutes before the race turned into the wind and they naturally began to lose ground.

Along the way, Bazzana claimed the day's sole mountain sprint to get the jersey of best climber, while Jørgensen was given the most aggressive rider award. 

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