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LISBON (Velo) – Primož Roglič did not win the stage – that went to American time trial champion Brandon McNulty – but he was the fastest among the general classification candidates and thus announced his intentions for this Vuelta a España.
Roglič started late at the 2024 Vuelta, but was quick to finish on Saturday on the short, windy 12km course. In the third grand tour of the season, he opened up narrow, morale-boosting gaps ahead of the other overall favorites.
The three-time Vuelta winner stopped the clock 16 seconds slower than the big winner McNulty, finishing eighth on the stage but faster than all other general classification contenders in the race.
Defending champion Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) was hit hard by the strong crosswinds and finished 62nd, 53 seconds slower than fellow countryman McNulty, which put him behind early on.
That was around 36 seconds slower than Roglič and around 20 seconds slower than his main overall rivals Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) and Dani Martínez (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).
“A time trial at the start of a big tour is always painful,” said Kuss. “It was a good warm-up for what I’m facing in the next few weeks. I gave it my all. I can be satisfied with the time trial I rode.”
Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers) was another slim climber who suffered from the strong crosswinds and said it was borderline unsafe to race in such conditions.
“It was hard to keep the position and stay on the bike. I’m happy to finish safe and sound. I didn’t manage the time trial as well as I would have liked, but the Vuelta is just beginning,” said Rodríguez. “The wind was really strong from the side, but that was the same for everyone. It was really pushing the limit to race the bike.”
Virtual GC after opening the TT phase:
- Roglic
- Almeida: +03
- Sun: +05
- Vlasov: +11
- Arensman: +13
- George Hart: +14
- Yates: +17
- Mass: +22
- Tank: +23
- Rodriguez: +28
- Kiss: +36
Local hero João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates), who was just three seconds slower than Roglič, and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), who was five seconds slower, were other general classification riders who gave their all at the TT on the opening day.
McNulty played down his own overall classification ambitions and made it clear that despite wearing the red leader’s jersey, he is here to help Yates and Almeida.
“It’s nice to win the red leader’s jersey and I hope to enjoy it over the next few days. But everyone knows that we have two very good leaders in Adam and João and we are here to work for them,” said McNulty. “It’s nice to win this after the Olympics.”
Strong start from Primož. To be honest, I didn’t expect that given my back injury, but I like it. It makes you want more, but we have to be cautious. Day by day, right?
Bravo @rogla ♥️. Proud fan here #rogla #roglic #LaVuelta24
: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/yr2DiSd9R0– Debby (@Debby_Drckx) 17 August 2024
The Vuelta is a race usually decided in the mountains, but this year’s edition will be complemented by two time trials. The final stage is a technical, fast 24.6km course in the centre of Madrid that could still hold surprises late in the evening.
Howling crosswinds create difficult conditions
Saturday was all about limiting losses and everyone gritted their teeth to brave the strong wind and the long, flat, mostly level road.
For the later starters, the gusts of wind howling up from the Tagus became stronger, putting riders like Kuss at a disadvantage compared to the earlier riders who came down the starting ramp.
Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), another pre-race favourite, said Saturday’s short time trial was all about limiting losses and the Ecuadorian salvaged the situation by losing only about 20 seconds to Roglič.
“It was very good in the first part, but later it was very windy and it was a bit difficult to keep the pace,” said Carapaz. “I’m also very light and I was shaking from side to side. I hope it’s the minimum loss.”
That sentiment was felt throughout the Vuelta peloton, full of nimble climbers, all hoping to survive the first nine stages on the dicey course through Spain’s southern regions of Extremadura and Andalusia.
The first summit finish comes in stage four, with difficult terrain to Carzola in stage seven and three Category 1 climbs to Granada next weekend, but the true essence of this Vuelta awaits in the second half.
Kuss in support of the Visma team: “We don’t have the same strategy as the Tour”
In his speech on stage, Kuss reflected on his groundbreaking overall victory last year.
“It feels good (to be defending champion). It’s just nice to have all the memories from last year and I’m just excited for this year. It’s going to be a different story and a different race for sure,” Kuss said before rolling down the ramp. “I’m just excited to get started.”
Last year, Kuss rode the Giro and Tour before winning the Vuelta as part of the team’s historic Grand Tour victory. His Vuelta win was the first by an American man since Chris Horner’s victory in the 2013 Vuelta.
Kuss’ last major tour was his victory at the Vuelta after COVID-19 prevented him from his planned start in the Tour in July.
He returned to competitive racing just in time to get back into form with a stage win and overall victory at the Vuelta a Burgos, which he hopes is a good sign.
“I think I’m pretty fresh. It’s definitely different not having done a grand tour before. Last year it was good for me, but this year it’s been a bit different,” he said. “I’m already happy to be here and feeling good.”
“There are so many other favourites in this race that we don’t have a strategy like in the Tour, where you take control from the start,” he said. “We also have Wout (van Aert), with a large part of the team supporting him. We have part of the team supporting me, and for me that’s perfect.”
