In pictures: week one at the Vuelta a España

In pictures: week one at the Vuelta a España

With the first rest day of the Vuelta now ticked off, we take a pictorial look back at what has been a lively opening week

photography Racing Vuelta a Espana

The weather was hot and, with the Vuelta’s uninhibited route planning pitting the main contenders against one another almost from the off, so too was the action.

 

After getting caught out by a moment’s distraction in 2016’s race, Chris Froome has been a man on a mission at this year’s Vuelta and has been paying it the same attention to detail as he does the Tour de France.

 

That’s more than can be said of Tour rival Romain Bardet who apparently forgot to bring his GC head to Spain. The Frenchman has effectively ruled himself out of overall contention already. But this will likely give him some wiggle room to try and win a stage later in the race.

 

Froome’s closest challenger as the next phase of the race got underway was Esteban Chaves (right). The Colombian climber is looking good again after an early season blighted by injury.

 

And then there’s been home favourite Alberto Contador. The Spaniard is on his retirement tour and already over three minutes down. But he’s been riding like he has nothing to lose and remains as popular as ever.

 

It all started in France with a team time trial that took a route through the Roman arena in Nîmes. BMC won the stage.

 

Then onto Andorra where Vincenzo Nibali who got the slip of his rivals in the closing kilometre to take stage three.

 

The backdrops were no less spectacular as the race moved back onto home turf, gradually making it’s way down the eastern flank of Spain.

 

The opening week was highly successful for Quick Step with three stage wins, including a first in a Grand Tour victory for Julian Alaphilippe.

 

The young, talented Matej Mohoric employed his descending skills to pull off a solo victory on stage seven to Cuenca.

 

And Cannondale’s Davide Villella enjoyed the taste of the climber’s jersey for several days. But despite a strong overall performance from Michael Woods, the week took a bitter turn when news emerged of a shortfall in their team’s 2018 budget.

 

Another big story was Sunweb sending home Warren Barguil. When it came to the crunch, the Frenchman was not prepared to follow team orders.

 

Over the course of the next week, the Vuelta moves through Murcia and Andalusia -including three more summit finishes- with another rest day on Monday September 4.

The post In pictures: week one at the Vuelta a España appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

photography Racing Vuelta a Espana

READ MORE

Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes 2025 Preview - Can Demi Vollering finally get her win?

Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes 2025 Preview - Can Demi Vollering finally get her win?

The last round of Ardennes week is the toughest challenge yet – who will come out on top?

Leer más
My ongoing three-year battle with cancer, by Lidl-Trek manager Luca Guercilena

My ongoing three-year battle with cancer, by Lidl-Trek manager Luca Guercilena

Lidl-Trek manager Luca Guercilena was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the autumn of 2021 aged 48, an aggressive but treatable type of chronic cancer. For...

Leer más
‘I listened to my DS for a change’ - Perseverance has finally paid off for Puck Pieterse

‘I listened to my DS for a change’ - Perseverance has finally paid off for Puck Pieterse

Fenix-Deceuninck rider claims her first Classics win at La Flèche Wallonne

Leer más
Has order been restored? Tadej Pogačar is the King of Huy

Has order been restored? Tadej Pogačar is the King of Huy

No one could come close to the world champion when he attacked on the final climb of La Flèche Wallonne- what does this mean for...

Leer más
La Flèche Wallonne preview 2025 - Will Mur de Huy serve up another vintage Ardennes showdown?

La Flèche Wallonne preview 2025 - Will Mur de Huy serve up another vintage Ardennes showdown?

Pogačar, Evenepoel and Skjelmose all set to tackle the second Ardennes Classic

Leer más
La Flèche Wallonne Femmes 2025 preview - Can the favourites regain control over the Ardennes?

La Flèche Wallonne Femmes 2025 preview - Can the favourites regain control over the Ardennes?

After an unpredictable Amstel Gold Race last weekend, the likes of Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma will be keen to make amends in this mid-week...

Leer más

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE