Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Gert Steegmans moved up to potentially contest the inevitable field sprint of the 180km La Vuelta a Espana Stage 1 on Sunday, but in the final meters, other teams moved up and took OPQS out of position for a potential podium placing.
John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano) won out on the left side, with Allan Davis (Orica-GreenEDGE) taking 2nd and Ben Swift (Sky ProCycling) getting 3rd. Steegmans finished 13th.
Niki Terpstra and Kevin De Weert are now 8th and 9th in the GC, 10" back from race leader Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar).
The team looks next to the first mountain stage of the third grand tour this season — a 155.3km race from Faustino V to Eibar.
