CALELLA: Poland's Maciej Paterski won the first stage of the Tour of Catalonia on Monday as a three-man breakaway left the peloton nearly three minutes behind.

Paterski edged out France's Pierre Rolland and Belgian Bart de Clerq to claim the 185.2 kilomtre stage around Calella in a time of 4hr 33min 40sec.

Former Tour de France winners Chris Froome and Alberto Contador were among the chasing pack that finished 2min 40sec behind the leaders.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2015