American Scott McGill takes first pro win at Volta a Portugal
Wildlife Generation rider sprints to victory following late attack by Rosskopf and Murphy
American riders took over the final of stage 1 of the Volta a Portugal on Friday, with Scott McGill (Wildlife Generation) sprinting to victory in the uphill finish shortly after Human Powered Health duo Joey Rosskopf and Kyle Murphy had been out in a late attack.
32-year-old McGill scored the first win of his young career in Elvas, outpacing a reduced group after a mass crash had held up a chunk of the peloton 2km from the line.
"It's my first victory ever so I'm very excited. Honestly it feels relieving, if anything," McGill said after the stage.
"It was super hot all day. When we got here it was cold by the coast so I thought it would be not as hot. We had plenty of water and the guys kept me fed and well hydrated so all I had to in the end was sprint.
"Everyone was all in for me. They did a great job and I just had to finish it off."
Race leader Rafael Reis (Glassdrive-Q8-Anicolor) was among the riders held up in the fall, though the 30-year-old will continue in the yellow jersey tonight thanks to the 3km rule.
British 21-year-old Oliver Rees (Trinity Racing) continued his impressive start to the race, following up his third in the Lisbon prologue with second behind McGill. João Matias (Glassdrive-Q8-Anicolor) took third place after finishing just behind Rees.
Disaster was narrowly averted in the final dash for the line, as a spectator on the course at the 200-metres to go mark clambered back over the barriers just in time to avoid the peloton.
Rosskopf, who was fourth in the prologue, was the last man standing from the late Human Powered Health attack, getting caught just after the crash out front. He and Murphy – who won two stages last year – had been out in the move having counter-attacked after the original breakaway was caught 14km from the line.
Despite the pair's best efforts, however, they couldn't hang on to take home the win for their team, the day's honours instead going to McGill from the group of 32.
While Reis continues in yellow, McGill will now don the green points jersey. Hugo Nunes (Rádio Popular-Paredes-Boavista) wears the polka dot KOM jersey after his day in the break, while Rees is in white as best young rider.
The Volta continues on Saturday with a 181.5km stage from Badajoz in Spain to the cobbled uphill finish at Castelo Branco.
Results powered by FirstCycling
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Prior to joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.
Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and Anna van der Breggen.
As well as original reporting, news and feature writing, and production work, Dani also oversees How to Watch guides and works on The Leadout newsletter throughout the season. Their favourite races are Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix and their favourite published article is from the 2024 edition of the latter: 'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
It's Commuter Week at Cyclingnews: Join us for the ride
Join us for the ride and get ready for a week of top tips and helpful advice about cycling to work -
'Exhausted but satisfied' – An attacking Liège-Bastogne-Liège debut for Sarah Gigante
'Although my legs were exploding, I kept fighting' says Australian after being caught following 60km solo effort -
Simon Andreassen claims MTB XCO World Cup victory in Araxá from four-way sprint
Victor Koretzky battles back to second in elite men's race after last lap mechanical, Mairiporã winner Christopher Blevins crashes in opening lap -
MTB World Cup Araxá - Haley Batten wins XCO battle with Jenny Rissveds
Savilia Blunk takes third in second round of women's elite cross-country Olympic racing in Brazil