Preview: What you need to know about stage 1 of the 2022 Vuelta a España
Preview: What you need to know about stage 1 of the 2022 Vuelta a España
Date: Friday August 19
Start: Utrecht
Finish: Utrecht
Distance: 23.3 km team time trial
For the first time since 2019 the Vuelta a España will start with a team time trial. In the words of the race’s technical director Fernando Escartín, the TTT course around Utrecht, the Netherlands features “wide avenues, without technical difficulties.” It’s also the flattest bike race you could possibly imagine.
The first red leader’s jersey is on the line at the end of the stage, but we aren’t likely to see massive gaps between the top GC contenders here.
Who’s it for: The teams with a bunch of strong time trialists, especially those teams who invest heavily in TT performance. Look to Jumbo-Visma and Ineos Grenadiers in particular.
