Nothing but smiling faces at UAE Emirates XRG after the team time trial on day five of the Vuelta a España. The star squad clocked the fastest time, beating their big rival Visma | Lease a Bike. Juan Ayuso, one of UAE's two GC leaders, was understandably very satisfied afterward.
"Of course, this is a fantastic victory," he began his account in an interview with Ciclo21. "It's my first win in a team time trial. Achieving this together is very special. We reconnoitered the course twice because we weren't satisfied the first time. So we decided to take in the route once more."
"Everyone was very optimistic, and I think we deserved it," the young Spaniard continued. "During the reconnaissance, we were able to correct some mistakes. When that effort then leads to a win, it’s something special."
First real test
Ayuso and his team have gotten off to the perfect start in the Tour of Spain, but the stage racer isn’t counting his chickens just yet. Today, the riders head into the mountains for the first time, en route to the village of Pal in Andorra.
"As I’ve said from day one, the Vuelta is only just beginning now. But it’s fantastic to start the first mountain stage with a victory, especially a collective one. We’ve already secured that, and on Thursday we’ll see where we stand."
Vuelta a España| Rank | Rider | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | 16:11:24 | |
| 2 | - | + 08 | |
| 3 | - | " | |
| 4 | - | " | |
| 5 | - | + 09 | |
| 6 | - | + 16 | |
| 7 | - | " | |
| 8 | - | + 20 | |
| 9 | - | " | |
| 10 | - | + 22 |
