The 2014 Vuelta a Espana began with a 12.6km team time trial in Jerez De La Frontera with Team Movistar taking line honours ahead of Cannondale and Orica-GreenEdge. Jonathan Castroviejo crossed the line first for the Spanish squad, earning himself the honour of wearing the red leader’s jersey on stage 2.
The second day of racing, from Algeciras to San Fernando, was one of only a handful of sprinter-friendly stages in this year’s Vuelta and Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr) was billed as the top favourite. He didn’t disappoint, winning the bunch sprint, while Alejandro Valverde finished well ahead of his Movistar teammate Castroviejo in the bunch, taking over the lead in the general classification ahead of stage 3.
And on the third stage the race started on an aircraft carrier in Cádiz before heading to Arcos de la Frontera. Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) added to his stage victory at this year’s Giro d’Italia, edging out Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) in the uphill kick to the finish. The young Australian now leads the general classification as well; the second Grand Tour he’s led this year.
As we wait for stage 4 to begin, enjoy the photos from stages 1 to 3 courtesy of BrakeThrough Media. Click through to follow them on Instagram and Twitter.
- BMC takes to the stage at the pre-race teams presentation.
- After crashing out of the Tour de France Chris Froome is back with a renewed focus on the Vuelta.
- MTN-Qhubeka is riding its first Grand Tour at the Vuelta a Espana.
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- Damiano Caruso warms up ahead of the stage 1 TTT.
- Alberto Contador is back racing after breaking his leg at the Tour de France …
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- … so how competitive will he be come the race’s tough second week?
- Tom Boonen warms up ahead of stage 1.
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- Movistar averaged 53.2km/h for the 12.6km TTT, putting Jonathan Castroviejo into the leaders jersey.
- After three stages of racing Nairo Quintana, one of the pre-race favourites, sits second overall.
- Stage 2 took the riders 174.4km from Algeciras to San Fernando.
- The Colombian fans are out in force with two GC contenders at the Vuelta to support: Nairo Quintana and Rigoberto Uran.
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- Nacer Bouhanni took out stage 2, adding to his three stage wins and points classification victory at the Giro.
- Javier Aramendia takes a breather after a warm second stage.
- After finishing in the bunch, Alejandro Valverde moved into the overall lead after stage 2.
- Stage 3 began on an aircraft carrier …
- … with the riders happy to pose on the impressive vessel.
- Cadel Evans comes into the race after missing the Tour de France and with a good shot at a top-five overall.
- Stage 3 gets underway.
- It was another hot day for the riders.
- Dan Martin leads the charge to the line in Arcos de la Frontera …
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- … but gets pipped on the line by Michael Matthews, the 23-year-old adding to his stage win at the Giro earlier in the year.
- Alberto Contador currently sits 12th on GC, 23 seconds behind Michael Matthews.
- Michael Matthews has spent plenty of time on podiums this year …
- … and might be able to spend some more after taking the overall lead.