Miguel Muñoz and Agnieta Francke win Stage 1 of MMR Asturias Bike Race

They are the first leaders after a demanding stage with a lot of mud and leg-breakers.

The Andalusian Miguel Muñoz, in Elite Men, and the Dutch Agnieta Francke, in Elite Women, were the winners of Stage 1 of the third edition of the MMR Asturias Bike Race. Starting at the Palacio de los Deportes in Oviedo, the riders had to overcome 60.5 kilometres and 2,050 metres of elevation gain on a route of constant ups and downs and a lot of mud.

The stage started on an asphalt area that allowed the race to stretch out. In the men's category, it was in the first wooded area when Miguel Muñoz (Ciclos Cabello Orbea), Miguel Vallés (Cares Deva) and Juan Ignacio Pérez (CDC Juan Pedro Trujillo) left the peloton behind and started to pull ahead to open up a gap.

Before reaching the summit of Pico de La Grandota, Miguel Muñoz decided to move up a gear. Thanks to this move, at the start of the climb he dropped Vallés and, before tackling the descent, Pérez. From there to the finish, the current Andalusian XCO champion made a particular time trial and won alone with 3 minutes and 12 seconds over Miguel Vallés, who finally finished second.

"It's the first time I've taken part in Asturias and today I've already seen that it's a spectacular race. I've been selecting the race because my legs felt good. Looking ahead to tomorrow, the good thing is that we have a good gap to the second, but we will have to take care of the mechanics because there is a lot of mud. We'll try to do our best and keep the jersey", said Muñoz at the finish.

In the women's category, Agnieta Francke (Team Farto - BTC) clearly dominated the race, opening a gap from the very start and riding the stage alone. After winning last Sunday the third stage of La Rioja Bike Race presented by Pirelli and finishing with good sensations, today she has confirmed them.

She was followed by Marta Tora (Open Natura Club Esportiu BTT), who arrived at 5 minutes and 57 seconds, and Cristina Moran (Villaviciosa C.C) who was almost 9 minutes behind.

"Physically I felt good. I didn't know if I was fully recovered from La Rioja, but the rest was good for me and La Rioja was a good preparation. I didn't want to take too many risks with the slippery terrain. I thought it was better to be a bit more relaxed, so as not to have any crashes. Now I will study my rivals well and try to keep the jersey until Sunday", Francke said.

Tomorrow is the halfway point of the competition with the second stage. The Nissan Super Stage, the queen stage, with 70km and 2,600 metres of elevation gain that will pass through emblematic points such as Pico Escobín, Pozo de Olloniego, abandoned mining facilities, Alto del Padrún or Picu Yanza with 12% gradients.

Standings STAGE 1 -MMR Asturias Bike Race - Elite Male

02:49:41 Miguel Muñoz CICLOS CABELLO ORBEA

02:52:53 Miguel Vallés CARES DEVA

02:54:43 Juan Ignacio Pérez CDC JUAN PEDRO TRUJILLO

GENERAL Classification -MMR Asturias Bike Race - Elite Male

02:49:41 Miguel Muñoz CICLOS CABELLO ORBEA

02:52:53 Miguel Vallés CARES DEVA

02:54:43 Juan Ignacio Pérez CDC JUAN PEDRO TRUJILLO

Standings STAGE 1 -MMR Asturias Bike Race - Elite Female

03:36:14 Agnieta Francke TEAM FARTO-BTC

03:42:11 Marta Tora OPEN NATURA C.E BTT

03:45:06 Cristina Moran VILLAVICIOSA C.C