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Race report: Vuelta a España, stage 1

August 20, 2011 - Filed under: Team Garmin-Barracuda

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Garmin-Cervélo rode to ninth place in a short but challenging 13.5km team time trial to open the 2011 Vuelta a España.

With warm temperatures and strong winds along Spain's Mediterranean coast, Garmin-Cervélo did its best on a technical, unconventional team time trial course.
Garmin-Cervélo stopped the clock 25 seconds off the stage-winner.

"It was not your typical team time trial course," said Garmin-Cervélo sport director Bingen Fernández. "It was very difficult for the riders to get a rhythm. There were many curves, traffic circles, tight roads and hills. It was not a course that anyone felt comfortable on."

Garmin-Cervélo placed its two leaders, Daniel Martin and Christophe Le Mevel, with the five minimum riders needed to cross the finish line.

Garmin-Cervélo grand-tour rookie Andrew Talansky suffered a mechanical in the course, meaning that the team was left without one of its powerful riders for the short but intense effort.

With finish-line bonuses in play during the Vuelta, with 20-, 12- and 8-second bonuses for the top-3 in each stage, Fernández said the team is hoping to have a shot at the Vuelta's red leader's jersey over the coming stages.

"We got through the day as best we could," Fernández said.

"We would have liked to have been a little closer on time so we could have a chance to sprint for the leader's jersey. That's out of our hands for tomorrow, but maybe over the next few days it's possible if we can have a few good sprints."

The 66th Vuelta continues Sunday with the 174km second stage from La Nucía to Playas de Orihuela. A sprint finale is all but assured.

"We can expect your typical first road stage, with an early break, but everyone chasing it down to set up the sprint," Fernández said. "We have options. We will decide day to day how we can split up the sprints. It depends on who's feeling good on the day, and that's how we will take the race."