The third and final Grand Tour of the season started this Saturday, and it was from Portugal that the Vuelta opened with a twelve-kilometre time trial in Lisbon. Along the Tagus, Stefan Küng was able to show all his power and cover the course at an average pace of about 57 km/h. However, this was not enough for him to claim victory. The Swiss rider had to settle with fourth place on the day, six seconds behind the winner Brandon McNulty. On Sunday, the peloton will head to Ourém for a potential bunch sprint.
For its 79th edition, the Vuelta a España had therefore chosen Lisbon and Portugal for its Grand Departure. The first of the three Portuguese stages, this Saturday, was a time trial along the Tagus River, over twelve kilometres without any real difficulties in terms of profile or technically-speaking. On the other hand, some specific weather conditions had to be taken into account. “The wind was a little stronger at the end of the day, and we had actually bet on starting later with David and Stefan because the wind could push them a little in the last 4-5 kilometres”, explained David Han. “On the other hand, this also led to some strong gusts in the first part”. Before their leaders, Lorenzo Germani, Sven-Erik Bystrom, Reuben Thompson, Quentin Pacher, Kevin Geniets and Rémy Rochas completed the course. At 7:46 p.m., David Gaudu tackled the time trial, and he limited his losses quite well as he crossed the line around forty seconds behind the best time at the time, held by Edoardo Affini. “It’s decent considering the profile and his form,” said the Breton’s coach.
“I was scared sometimes,” Stefan Küng
Affini was beaten shortly after by Mathias Vacek. When he left the start ramp at 8:08 p.m, Stefan Küng therefore had to go faster than the Czech rider. After seven kilometers, the Swiss specialist, however, was seven seconds behind, after a hectic start. “I had really crazy gusts of wind in the first half, and they kind of destabilized me,” explained Stefan. “I had trouble staying upright, keeping the position, and it was difficult to pedal against the gusts and keep the rhythm. Honestly, I was scared sometimes, especially on the downhill after the little climb. I was going 77 km/h and I was just praying that nothing would happen.” “The gusts were impressive,” confirmed David. “We got quite scared behind Stefan on one occasion. He was destabilized and I think that disturbed him a little in the first part.” In the last five kilometres, the former double European champion managed to gain a few seconds, but it was not enough to take the hot seat. With a time of 12’41, he set the second provisional mark, four seconds behind Vacek. “I heard that I was behind at the intermediate point, so I really hit the gas,” he said. “I didn’t want to have any regrets, and I don’t have any.”
“This is only the beginning of the Vuelta,” David Han
In the end, the rider from Groupama-FDJ was also beaten by Brandon McNulty, winner with a time of 12’35, and Wout Van Aert, three seconds faster than him. “When your name is Stefan Küng, you obviously show up on a time trial to win it,” said David. “He is in the mix, but we know that it is decided by very little, especially on a course like this. There are no regrets about the approach or the starting strategy, because the first four started at the end. It is not the first time that he has come very close to a great performance. Today, there was a red jersey at stake, but it is only the beginning of the Vuelta.” “It is frustrating to be beaten again,” concluded Stefan. “I thought Tarling was the man to beat, I beat him, but on a time trial like this anything can happen. Some guys were stronger, and I have to accept the verdict. I would really like to make the wheel of fortune turn. There are twenty stages left to do that, I am in good shape, and I feel good again on the bike. I am looking forward to the rest of La Vuelta.”
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