The Italian Davide Villella claimed stage win of the Tour of Almaty-2018 on day one

Andrey Kivilev’s memorial stage 1 of the Tour of Almaty-2018 was heated competition, good weather but strong crosswind

The Italian Davide Villella (“Astana”) claimed stage win of the Tour of Almaty-2018 on day one, reports Vesti.kz.

In the absence of four time winner of the race Alexey Lutsenko, Villella was among the favourites of the race. This season Villella rode in Giro and La Vuelta where he assisted “Astana’s” captain Miguel Angel López to come third. Today he broke away with 25 kilometres to go and sustain his lead to claim stage win.

The racers covered seven city laps of 26.1 kilometres each. After stage one Villella put on the leader’s jersey.

This is the first season in “Astana” for Villella. Last year he won the mountain classification of Spanish La Vuelta.

Tomorrow, on Septembre 30, the racers will head off to Halyk Arena. At 11:00 stage two will start from there. The riders have to negotiate 4.5 laps along Eastern Detour Motorway – Al Farabi section with the turn at the Park of the First President. Culmination of the race will fall at the finish stretch from the Park of the First President headway to Dostyk and up to Medeo.

As a reminder, today stage one of the race was a dedication to Andrei Kivilev. 15 years ago tragic loss of Andrei Kivilev, Kazakhstan’s cyclist has shaken the cycling world. Widowed Natalia Kivilev awarded Festina jersey to Villella. Festina was Kivilev’s first professional team.