MADRID, May 18, 2009 (AFP) – Norway’s Thor Hushovd of team Cervelo won the first stage of the Tour of Catalonia, a 3.6 kilometer time trial in Lloret de Mar on Monday.

Spanish ace Alejandro Valverde of Caisse d’Epargne was second while New Zealand’s Greg Henderson of Team Columbia was third.

The second stage on Tuesday will consist of a 163.1-kilometer ride between Girona and Roses.

The Tour of Catalonia, the third oldest cycling stage race in the world after the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, will finish on May 24 in Montmelo.

Hushovd will skip this year’s Giro and is instead taking part in smaller races to concentrate fully on his bid for stage wins and possibly other successes at the Tour de France in July.

Stage
1. Thor Hushovd (NOR) Team Cervelo 4min 47sec, 2. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) at 01sec, 3. Greg Henderson (NZL) 02, 4. Matthieu Ladagnous (FRA) 03, 5.
Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) s.t.

Photo by: CorVos Pro