La Vuelta: UAE speeds to TTT victory

 

The first stage of La Vuelta is on Spanish soil, as Jonas Vingegaard regained La Roja in Figueres. Visma Lease a Bike took second place, finishing 8 seconds behind Juan Ayuso and Joan Almeida's UAE Team Emirates to win the stage. Ayuso and Almeida are now Vingegaard's closest chasers in the overall standings, alongside their teammate Marc Soler. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl Trek) completes the top 5 at 9 seconds back. Lidl Trek was the third fastest team on the day. David Gaudu, finished 9th at 24 seconds and drops to 6th overall.

"We knew we would be fighting for the win, but there's a lot of good teams here and we need to be realistic. I think we did a really perfect job and we deserve it as well. I think it's good to give us confidence as well. But, of course, the gaps are small. It doesn't really mean anything, but it's a good start."

-Joao Almeida

"We leave the jersey behind, we expected it but it was nothing but joy. It lasted 24 hours but it's one of the most beautiful moments of my career! It's a completely different feeling to wear a leader's jersey on a Grand Tour. I'm proud to have been able to wear it."

-David Gaudu