Bagioli in white at La Vuelta

The Italian enjoyed a perfect start to the Spanish Grand Tour and now leads the youth classification.

For the first time since the Vuelta a España was created in 1935, Burgos hosted the opening stage which consisted of an individual time trial, just like six years ago, when the city last welcomed the race. Starting from the shadow of the majestic gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria, the 7.1km stage was one of two halves, with the Alto del Castillo spicing things up before a fast descent back to the center of the city.

Back in the race one year after making an enthusiastic Grand Tour debut here, Andrea Bagioli produced a superb time trial, despite not being a specialist, averaging a remarkable 48.77km/h. As a result, the 22-year-old took a solid seventh at the finish, just two seconds behind Deceuninck – Quick-Step teammate Josef Cerny, who concluded the day in fifth position as our best-placed rider.

“It’s an incredible start for me, after what was just the second time trial I rode since turning pro. I did a recon on Friday and I felt good, so I gave everything. To start the Vuelta with a top 10 and the white jersey is incredible, especially as it comes after a tough couple of months without any races whatsoever until recently following that Laigueglia crash. It feels great to have the white jersey on my shoulders, and although it will be difficult, I will try to keep it for as long as possible”, a smiling Andrea said after his third Grand Tour stage podium.

Photo credit: ©Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Getty Images