Remco Evenepoel leads the team home on the opening stage.
For just the fourth time in its history, the Vuelta a España got underway from outside of Spain, as the Netherlands hosted the start of this 77th edition. A fast and flat 23.3km team time trial held around Utrecht kick off proceedings at the last Grand Tour of the season, which Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl tackled with a squad consisting of Julian Alaphilippe, Rémi Cavagna, Dries Devenyns, Remco Evenepoel, Fausto Masnada, Pieter Serry, Ilan Van Wilder and Louis Vervaeke.
The third-to-last squad to roll down the ramp Friday evening, the Wolfpack produced a fine collective effort, going fastest through the first intermediate checkpoint before setting the second-best provisional time on the finish line, less than a second separating us from the hot seat. Eventually, the team concluded in third place, a result that only added to our riders’ confidence for the next three weeks.
“We did a very good time trial today. The guys did a fine job out there, had a solid tempo during the stage and we can be content with their strong ride and this podium. Now we’ll stick to the plan, which is to take it day by day and see how things go”, said Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sports director Davide Bramati.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
