Vuelta España 2014 – Stage 1 Preview

By David Hunter

Stage 1 Jerez – Jerez 12.6km TTT

It’s easy to sum this stage up in one word……. technical!

They couldn’t have put more corners into the stage, if they tried. Many roundabouts, many corners, this route is very demanding. 

At least the stage is very flat!

Two teams stand out from the rest: OPQS and Trek.

OPQS only contain one rider from their World Championship winning team, but he is Tony Martin. They also have Boonen, Brambilla, Maes, Poels, Serry, Uran, Velits and Verona. The team were second in the Giro TTT, with four of these riders. Add in Tony Martin and they have a squad to worry about.

Trek Factory Racing have the best squad, on paper: Cancellara, Zubeldia, Sergent, Felline, Popovych, Jungels, Stuyven, Vandewalle and Arredondo. That’s four of the best TT riders in the world, in one team! They will start the race as favourites.

Movistar like racing in Spain and can never be discounted. Back in 2012, they had a fairly weak squad, but still managed to win the TTT, by 10 seconds. Home advantage is a massive plus to the team and a late starting time is guaranteed.

At the present moment, they are expected to get a 10mph wind in Jerez, on Saturday night. Due to the twisting course, it is a tail, cross and head wind, at different points on the course. Strong wind, plays into the hands of the stronger riders.

Most of the teams will be trying to limit their damage on this course. There is a lack of specialist TT riders, at least the stage is short and gaps will be small.

Prediction time…

Trek to take the win, with OPQS in second and Movistar third.

David Hunter

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