Darren Rafferty powers to first podium finish of pro career | Video

Darren Rafferty, in his neo pro season with EF Education-EasyPost, has claimed the first podium result of his pro career (Photo: Nathalie Teyssier)

Darren Rafferty (EF Education-EasyPost) has powered to the first podium result of his pro career, with 2nd place in the opening stage TT at O Gran Camiño (2.1) in Spain.

Though he is in his neo pro year, Rafferty has already equipped himself very well in two one day races at Mallorca Challenge and at the five-stage Etoile de Bessèges (2.1); riding very strongly for his team and putting in some attacks.

Today, in A Coruña in north western Spain, the TT was a 14.8km course, with a 1.5km incline, averaging 4.8 per cent, in the first third.

An extreme weather protocol was put in place due to the strong winds, with the TT run off on road bikes and neutralised for the general classification. However, many of the riders in the field, still decided to go full gas, including Rafferty and winner Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers).

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Tarling rounded the course in a time of 18:21, and an average speed of 48.392kmph. Rafferty was 2nd at 42 seconds, with Pablo Castrillo (Equipo Kern Pharma) 3rd at 48 seconds.

All of the riders in the field, which includes defending champion and Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), will all start tomorrow's stage on the same time.

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It takes the riders some 151.2km from Taboada to Chantada, over four categorised climbs, including a cat 2 - 5.2km at 6.1 per cent - just before the finish.

While Tarling will wear the yellow jersey tomorrow, Rafferty will be in the jersey of points classification leader.

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