Tom Boonen (Quick Step-Davitamon) has drawn first blood in the Tour of Andalucia, otherwise known as the Ruta del Sol. The Belgian outsprinted Vicente Reynes (Illes Balears-Banesto) and Erik Zabel (T Mobile) to win Stage 1, a 181-km ride from Huelva to Sevilla, in 4:22:50. Boonen has taken the early lead in the Ruta del Sol.

Steffen Wesemann (T Mobile) started racing early. At 17 km, the German attacked and led by almost 14 minutes at 63 km. Rabobank, Quick Step-Davitamon, and Illes Balears-Banesto began to chase, however, and Wesemann's lead began to shrink. With 10 km left, the bunch caught the T Mobile rider. The stage came down to a sprint, which Boonen won.

In the overall, Boonen leads Reynes and Zabel with a time of 4:22:50. Stage 2 will be a tough one, with one Category 1 climb and three Category 3 ascents along the 185-km route from Arcos de La Frontera to Benalmadena. Will Boonen keep his lead? Check in at www.roadcycling.com and find out!