An attack in the final 11 kilometers allowed Gregor Mühlberger to secure victory in the first stage of the Tour of Austria. The 32-year-old "home" rider, registered with Decathlon CMA CGM Team but racing for the Austrian national team on this occasion, crossed the finish line in Gamlitz with an 11" advantage over American Kevin Vermaerke of UAE Team Emirates – XRG and Héctor Álvarez of Lidl Trek. The 19-year-old Spanish rider, assigned to the WorldTour team, completed today's podium ahead of teammates Mollema and Bagioli.

Naturally, at the conclusion of the opening stage, Mühlberger also donned the first leader's jersey of the race, which he will wear again tomorrow in the stage that will take the peloton between Bad Kleinkirchheim and Großglockner.

THE WINNER'S WORDS «It is a great honor to represent the Austrian national team on home roads, I am truly happy with this victory. It was the first time I raced with my national team teammates, they did tremendous work. Tomorrow we face a tough day, if I have today's condition maybe I'll try to attack again but it won't be easy. Certainly it will be an exciting race tomorrow too»

FINAL CLASSIFICATION

1 Mühlberger Gregor Austria 04:21:02

2 Vermaerke Kevin UAE Team Emirates - XRG 00:11

3 Álvarez Héctor Lidl - Trek ,,

4 Mollema Bauke Lidl - Trek ,,

5 Bagioli Andrea Lidl - Trek ,,

6 Pickering Finlay Alpecin - Premier Tech ,,

7 Gogl Michael Team Jayco AlUla ,,

8 Double Paul Team Jayco AlUla ,,

9 Rodríguez Carlos Netcompany INEOS ,,

10 August Andrew Netcompany INEOS ,,