The 3rd and final Grant Tour of the year the Vuelta a España starts with a 14.8km Team Time Trial (TTT) in Barcelona on Saturday the 26th of August.
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THE ROUTE
While only 14.8km long this TTT has the potential to cause havoc in the early stages of this race. The reason is the technical nature of the course with some seriously sharp turns which would be tough for an individual rider let alone an entire team. It is going to make keeping formation very tricky.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Jumbo-Visma 8/10
Ineos Grenadiers 5/4
UAE Team Emirates 14/1
Soudal-Quick Step 14/1
Movistar 22/1
Jayco Alula 33/1
66/1 and better the balance
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
PREDICTION
Being a short stage there is unlikely to be big gaps between the teams and this is good for the race as having a major General Classification player losing minutes on the opening stage would be disappointing. That said the technical nature of the course and the possibility of rain makes this a dangerous route and teams will have to manage their risk/reward ratio in this one.
The 19 bends mean the true powerhouses won’t be as effective as there are not many long straights where they can pull the team along. That being said you still need Time Trial engines in your squad if you are going to win this.
If this were a flat TTT I would favour Ineos but on this technical route I think Jumbo Visma are worthy favourites. Rain could be a big issue though as teams with the big favourites may step off the gas a bit to ensure they don’t see their hopes ended on Stage 1.
If conditions were guaranteed to be good I would be all in on a Jumbo Visma win but with rain expected this could be a lottery so I am going for some lucky numbers.
The teams of EF Education-Easy Post and Bora-hansgrohe have good ITT riders in their teams and have historically gone well in this discipline and at 66/1 the pair that is where my small interest is going on Stage 1.
Suggested Bet: EF Education win at 66/1
Suggested Bet: Bora win at 66/1
