Welsford sixth in Renewi opener

Sam Welsford sprinted to sixth on a sodden finale to stage one of Renewi Tour. 

Welsford was part of a reduced bunch that contested the win after a late crash on the run-in to the slippery finish in Diest, with Jonathan Milan (Lidl Trek) coming out on top to take the race lead. 

With a break threatening to spoil the sprinters' day, Netcompany INEOS helped reel in the escapees, with Kim Heiduk and Connor Swift key in positioning Welsford in the final. 

The Australian then came around his competitors late on, but was unable to make up the ground as Milan earned the victory.