It was a 51 rider bunch that crossed the line on Monday at the end of the first stage of the Tour of the Basque Country. Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain was the winner but there was no separation in final time going back 51 spots. Lawson Craddock, riding for the Cannondale team, was the top American and the only one in that bunch finishing 30th.

Other Americans in the top 100 were Larry Warbasse (75th – 2:05 back), Joey Rosskopf (89th – 6:48 back), and Carter Jones (96th – 6:48 back). Tomorrow will feature stage two, a 108 mile mountain stage.