Gatis Smukulis of Latvia won the opening stage of Volta of Catalunya on Monday, and Alberto Contador finished 10th as a decision looms from cycling's governing body over whether to appeal his clearance of a doping ban.
Smukulis finished the the 166.9-kilometer (103.7-mile) ride beginning and ending in Lloret de Mar in northeastern Spain in 4 hours, 8 minutes, 48 seconds.
The HTC-Highroad rider was followed by a pack, including Contador, finishing 28 seconds behind.
Contador, a three-time Tour de France champion, tested positive for clenbuterol but was later cleared of wrongdoing by the Spanish cycling federation. The International Cycling Union has said it will decide by Thursday whether to appeal the decision.
Contador races in Volta as doping ban appeal looms
