BMC Racing Team got their Vuelta a España campaign off to a perfect start in Nîmes today after an impressive display of strength and skill over the course of the opening team time trial saw them secure the stage win and put Rohan Dennis into the first leader’s jersey of the race.
Rolling off the ramp as one of the pre-race favorites, BMC Racing Team quickly settled into a seamless rhythm as they looked to better 16’04”, the time set by Quick-Step Floors.
After powering around the technical and demanding 13.7km circuit, the finish line came into view, and with Dennis leading the final six riders across the line, the clock stopped at an impressive 15’58”.
It was a short but tense wait in the hot seat, but in the end, BMC Racing Team was the only team to go under the 16-minute mark which was enough to seal the victory on stage 1 with Dennis securing the red leader’s jersey.
TT ‘According to Plan’, says Dennis:
“Everything went to plan today, and we executed our TTT perfectly,” said Dennis. “I think we were still a little bit nervous when Team Sky came in and I thought that we had maybe lost it on the line, but in the end, we came out as the strongest team.”
“It was a hard course. It wasn’t just a straightforward time trial. It was technical at the start, and we had to tactically figure out if it was better to finish at the top of the hill with nine riders or if we drop a few guys. The course tested everything: strength, technique, and speed. You had to be the best in every aspect, and we showed our true power today.”
“It feels great to wear the red jersey, but it is a little bit of a different feeling to when I won the first yellow jersey of the Tour in 2015. I feel like it is an achievement but today, it was a team effort and every rider won, and I am the only one who gets to wear the jersey.”
“We know there is the chance of some wind tomorrow, and I spoke to Loïc Vliegen about a similar circuit they did at Route du Sud, and he said it was very windy along the beach so, it’s going to be tough, but for us, we’re not here to sprint,” Dennis concluded. “In terms of the race overall, my goal here is not really the General Classification. Instead, I want to test myself against some of the GC guys in the mountains, and hopefully, I can come away with a few stages, and this is the first one.”
“The main goal this morning was all about getting the team across the line first, and it is amazing to be on the podium once again at the Vuelta a España,” added Nicholas Roche. “BMC Racing Team really enjoys and prepares well for team time trials and it is important to have a plan. Regardless of whether we win or lose it is important to have a plan and stick to it.”
“I think Monday will be an important day for the team to see where everyone is at and who is riding for the GC or riding for stages. I think I am in decent condition, and I’ve done everything I can do to come back here and do well, so I am excited about this race.”
Quick Step Content With Second:
Quick-Step Floors’ display of strength left sport director Rik Van Slycke content at the end of the day: “We had a plan and the guys did their job from start to finish, so we can’t say that we lost seconds here or there. Of course, we would have liked to win, but we can still be satisfied with our work. Now let’s see what tomorrow’s stage will have in store, because there’s a chance of crosswinds, which can be a huge game changer.”
Bob Jungels is racing two Grand Tours in one season for the first time in his career, and the Luxembourger, twice a winner of the white jersey at the Giro d’Italia, is off to a great start, as he leads the youth standings: “We were well prepared and gave everything out there. The course wasn’t easy, but we managed to complete the stage without any incidents and in second, just a few seconds off the win. We can be happy with the result, the legs are good and we can build on today’s placing. It’s nice to lead a classification so early in the race, it’s something that really motivates you for the next three weeks.”
Stage 1 Results:
- BMC Racing Team (United States) 15:58″
- Quick-Step Floors (Belgium) +6″
- Team Sunweb (Germany)
- Team Sky (Britain) +9″
- Orica-Scott (Australia) +17″
- BORA-hansgrohe (Germany) +21″
- Lotto-Soudal (Belgium) +24″
- Movistar Team (Spain)
- Bahrain-Merida (Bahrain) +31″
- Katusha-Alpecin (Switzerland) +33″
- Trek-Segafredo (United States) +35″
- FDJ (France) +38″
- Aqua Blue Sport (Ireland)
- Team Dimension Data (South Africa) +39″
- LottoNL-Jumbo (Netherlands) +40″
- Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan) +41″
- Cannondale-Drapac (United States) +46″
- AG2R La Mondiale (France)
- UAE Team Emirates (United Arab Emirates) +47″
- Manzana Postobon Team (Colombia) +53″
- Caja Rural – Seguros RGA (Spain) +56″
- Cofidis, Solutions Credits (France) +57″
General Classification After Stage 1:
- Rohan Dennis (Australia / BMC Racing Team) 15:58″
- Daniel Oss (Italy / BMC Racing Team) ST
- Nicolas Roche (Ireland / BMC Racing Team)
- Alessandro De Marchi (Italy / BMC Racing Team)
- Damiano Caruso (Italy / BMC Racing Team)
- Tejay van Garderen (U.S. / BMC Racing Team) 7
- Yves Lampaert (Belgium / Quick-Step Floors) +6″
- David De La Cruz (Spain / Quick-Step Floors)
- Bob Jungels (Luxembourg / Quick-Step Floors)
- Julian Alaphilippe (France / Quick-Step Floors)
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