Archie Ryan looking relaxed on the opening stage at La Vuelta, with tomorrow’s finish set to suit both him and Eddie Dunbar (Photo: Naike Erenozaga)

Archie Ryan (EF Education-EasyPost) and Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco AlUla) have both come through the opening stage at La Vuelta – Ryan’s first ever Grand Tour stage – and now the first chance comes immediately for the two punchy climbers from Ireland.

Today’s “action” – some 186.7km from Torino-Reggia di Venaria to Novara in Italy – was perhaps the most boring opening stage of a Grand Tour we have seen for many years. However, Jasper Philipsen’s senses were clearly not dulled by the inaction, with the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider taking the stage win, and first maillot rojo, of this race.

He led home the bunch – after a stage where the riders were well behind the slowest predicted speed through the day – from Ethan Vernon (Israel-Premier Tech) and Orluis Aular (Movistar Team). Philipsen, who also took Tour de France yellow on the opening day, was a very comfortable victor.

Ryan and Dunbar both finished in the bunch, in 105th and 142nd respectively, on the same time as the winner. After getting that opening stage in the bag, the first chance now immediately presents itself for the Irish as tomorrow’s finish could really suit both.

Though the uphill finish is far from brutal, it should produce the first general classification shake-up and is a finish where the Irish could press for a stage result, maybe even a win. They will also get to test their legs towards a general classification ride over the next three weeks.

The end of the 159.5km stage 2 to Limone Piemonte is uphill for the last 25km. And though the cat 2 ascent the race concludes on does not officially start until 4.5km to go, it is a 9.9km climb averaging 5.2 per cent. The ‘official’ final 4.5km to the line averages 6.4 per cent.

Whether the climb is steep enough at any point to blow the race apart depends on how hard it is ridden, and whether any of the general classification men – including Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) – steps up to take it on.

At a minimum, a general classification group will emerge at the front and the stage may come down to a sprint from that group. Both Dunbar and Ryan are petrol engine climbers, capable of a big final effort at the finish.

It would be no disaster so early in the race if they did not perform at the very front. However, if they got into a good position and were able to reach for the afterburners, something big could happen for them on this opening four-day phase of the race in Italy.