Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2023, stage 1: Barcelona - Barcelona (14.8k / TTT)

[Red Rick]

15km starting TTT is a lot better than those 30km ones we periodically get in the Tour

 

[tobydawq]

the Vuelta has started with a TTT ~15 times in the past 20 years, so I doubt there's Proudhomme or even Guillen to blame for it. It just turned into a bit of a tradition, and I tbh don't see what's ther problem with it. It's a good way to start the race.

Sure, if you're happy to have the racing start a day later than otherwise.

 

[tobydawq]

15km starting ITT is a lot better than those 30km ones we periodically get in the Tour

I don't think the 2015 Tour gathered much praise for its ITT mileage.

 

[search]

Sure, if you're happy to have the racing start a day later than otherwise.

it's not like we'd get Angliru instead

 

[Netserk]

If not for the rain, the Copenhagen ITT was perfect. Van Aert and Pogi were the two strongest riders, and it showed the rest of the week. Ominous too that Vingegaard beat Rogla.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

Sitting with a lot of emotions this morning, feeling behind speaking this starter.

1) Only this morning it dawns on me that it is a TTT and not an ITT. What a disgusting shame

2) The TTT route itself. It strikes me with a big smile that it is almost identical to the morning hike I took in 1998 after a research meeting over a couple of days in which I participated from the private sector, where I convinced my workplace's travel organizer that it was cheaper for them in airfare and hotel combined to let me stay over the weekend.
So here I got a lovely 3 days for myself in this lovely city and my Saturday morning stroll is eerily close to this route

However, I don't think the route suits a TTT at all.
Plenty of opportunities for a very unfortunate start

 

[Riek s]

Hard to look past JV or Ineos for the win. I think i give a slight edge to Ineos to win this, but i reckon it will be close..

 

[Red Rick]

I don't think the 2015 Tour gathered much praise for its ITT mileage.

I meant TTT, brainfart on my end

 

[topcat]

Hard to look past JV or Ineos for the win. I think i give a slight edge to Ineos to win this, but i reckon it will be close..

For the ttt or the overall?

 

[tobydawq]

For the ttt or the overall?

Yeah, very, very hard to tell...

 

[Bolder]

I like me a good TTT, but not as the first stage. I guess Ineos or TJV have to be the favorites. I'm going to go with Ineos because Ganna and Thomas. Something tells me TJV are going to play it a bit safe.

 

[Riek s]

For the ttt or the overall?

in this case the TTT.

Ineos with Ganna, Castro, dePlus, Thomas,Arensman have 5 very strong riders to finish. Especially Ganna should be a great compatriot in the TTT, close to the best in TT of any length while not being a complete nightmare to ride behind.

 

[durtyfat7]

Does anybody have a video link for the Teams presentation yesterday?

 

[Rob5091]

Sitting with a lot of emotions this morning, feeling behind speaking this starter.

Plenty of opportunities for a very unfortunate start

I suspect teams will be very careful on the TTT - if it rains, even more so. The weather might well decide who wins.

 

[Netserk]

Does anybody have a video link for the Teams presentation yesterday?

The youtube stream posted previously can be watched from the beginning again:

Team presentation is live now on Youtube

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4N7jo5DZqU

 

[shadowrider]

The time of the fift riders counts. Not that easy, with the announced rain, possible crashes, punctures, weak TT-riders.... F.e. Knox, Hirt, Serry in the team of Evenepoel.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Finally, holidays! On where the giants come to brag over their accomplishments at some light golf sessions. Like Hemptons, only better.

P.S. Not really for kids any more.

 

[Berniece]

I only just found out the TTT is in the evening... Why? I would expect less people to watch it compared to during the day. Definitely on a Saturday.

 

[CyclistAbi]

I only just found out the TTT is in the evening... Why? I would expect less people to watch it compared to during the day. Definitely on a Saturday.

Mainly due to siesta.

 

[ice&fire]

I only just found out the TTT is in the evening... Why? I would expect less people to watch it compared to during the day. Definitely on a Saturday.

Wrong. The default assumption is the weather in August is hot and people don't go out on the streets before 19:00.

Bilbao had temperatures above 40C a couple of days ago. Barcelona had over 36C. Riders are just fortunate that the heatwave is receding in Northern Spain. Southern Spain is still expecting temperatures above 40C over the weekend.

 

[Red Rick]

Is there rain predicted tomorrow evening or is it expected to not affect the race at all?

 

[Berniece]

Wrong. The default assumption is the weather in August is hot and people don't go out on the streets before 19:00.

Bilbao had temperatures above 40C a couple of days ago. Barcelona had over 36C. Riders are just fortunate that the heatwave is receding in Northern Spain. Southern Spain is still expecting temperatures above 40C over the weekend.

Are all stages finishing this late? Nope.

Although I do find it a valid reason, I mean that’s why they should switch the Giro and Vuelta.

 

[ice&fire]

Are all stages finishing this late? Nope.

Although I do find it a valid reason, I mean that’s why they should switch the Giro and Vuelta.

Not all stages are dispatched in one hour and a half. And not all stages have short transfers the day after allowing the teams to stay overnight where they finish.
Late stage finishes for the first and last stage have been the norm in recent years.

 

[Bonimenier]

Gerben Thijssen already out with covid. Please spare us of this the coming 3 weeks. Sprinters field becoming even more pathetic now.

 

[memyselfandI]

No vote for the winner of the opener, no?