Corbin Strong (Israel – Premier Tech) won the first stage of the Škoda Tour de Luxembourg 2023 in a sprint ahead of Søren Kragh Andersen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Alex Aranburu (Team Movistar) after 156.4km between Neumünster Abbey in Luxembourg-Grund and the finish in Luxembourg-Kirchberg. The New Zealander thus took the yellow jersey of the overall leader.

Mats Wenzel (Leopard TOGT Pro Cycling), Oliver Knudsen (Leopard TOGT Pro Cycling), Lennert Teugels (Bingoal WB) and Vito Braet (Team Flanders-Baloise) broke away after the start. The four riders built up a lead of almost four minutes. But just before the Côte de Stafelter, with 15km to go, the escapees were caught. Neither this ascent nor the last three kilometres of climbing were decisive and victory was decided by a group of 42 riders.

At least three top riders abandoned the race on the first stage: Jakob Fuglsang (Israel – Premier Tech), Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) and David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ).

Corbin Strong: “It’s a great feeling. My team worked really well for me. I’ve been in good form all year, but I’ve never managed to win. So I’m particularly happy. It’s very cool to start the race this way. I’m looking forward to the next few days in Luxembourg.”