Nicolas Roche tweeted this picture of a section of course for tomorrow's opening stage of the Vuelta A Espana. The riders will race a 7.4k team time-trial that incorporates seven changes of surface but the decision to neutralise the race was today announced.
By Brian Canty
We published a story last night about the course for the opening stage of the Vuelta A Espana where Nicolas Roche voiced his concern.
Well, for anyone who thought his comments might have been over the top, have a look at the video below and see for yourself.
It is truly mind-boggling how any race director could have put a team of nine men on a course like this.
There are seven changes of road surface and even a wooden bridge to negotiate.
Race director Javier Guillén said traffic and logistical problems made it impossible for the race route to be changed, claiming the route had been seen and approved by the UCI and the CPA international rider’s association.
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Thankfully, some sense prevailed today when it was confirmed that the times recorded by each team would not count for GC.
They will still race for stage victory but now none of the big-name overall contenders will risk losing time on the overall classification.
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