Philipsen Claims Opening Vuelta Stage and First Red Jersey

Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen powered to victory in a sprint finish to take the opening stage of the 2025 Vuelta a España and with it the race leader’s red jersey, Sport360NG reports.

The 27-year-old, riding for Alpecin–Deceuninck, burst clear on the finishing straight after a well-executed lead-out from his team. He edged Britain’s Ethan Vernon of Israel–Premier Tech into second place, with Movistar’s Orluis Aular completing the podium.

It was Philipsen’s first win since the opening stage of July’s Tour de France, where his race was cut short two days later by a crash that left him with a broken collarbone.

“Winning is always special, but to do it with the red jersey as a reward makes it even better,” said Philipsen. “After the Tour crash, being forced to stop was really tough. I knew this Vuelta would give me limited opportunities, so today was a big goal.”

Britain’s Tom Pidcock, making his Grand Tour debut with Q36.5, placed ninth.

This year’s Vuelta began outside Spain for the sixth time in its history, with Turin hosting the start before the peloton covered a flat 186.1km route to Novara. Italy’s Alessandro Verre took the first King of the Mountains points on the ascent of La Serra, finishing ahead of Spain’s Joel Nicolau.

Sunday’s second stage also remains in Italy’s Piedmont region, running 159.6km from Alba to a summit finish at Limone Piemonte, featuring a 9.8km climb to the ski resort.

Four-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar is absent from the Vuelta as he prepares for the World Championships in September.

Stage One Result (Turin–Novara, 186.1km)

Jasper Philipsen (Bel/Alpecin–Deceuninck) 4:09:12

Ethan Vernon (Gbr/Israel–Premier Tech) same time

Orluis Aular (Ven/Movistar)

Elia Viviani (Ita/Lotto)

Iván García Cortina (Esp/Movistar)

David González (Esp/Q36.5 Pro Cycling)

Bryan Coquard (Fra/Cofidis)

Thomas Silva (Uru/Caja Rural–Seguros RGA)

Tom Pidcock (Gbr/Q36.5 Pro Cycling)

Madis Mihkels (Est/EF Education–EasyPost)

General Classification After Stage One

Jasper Philipsen (Bel/Alpecin–Deceuninck) 4:09:12

Ethan Vernon (Gbr/Israel–Premier Tech) +4s

Pepijn Reinderink (Ned/Soudal Quick-Step)

Orluis Aular (Ven/Movistar) +6s

Nicolas Vinokurov (Kaz/XDS Astana)

Koen Bouwman (Ned/Jayco AlUla) +8s

Elia Viviani (Ita/Lotto) +7s

Iván García Cortina (Esp/Movistar)

David González (Esp/Q36.5 Pro Cycling)

Bryan Coquard (Fra/Cofidis)