Jumbo-Visma picked up at La Vuelta where it left off at the Tour de France, besting the competition to win the Stage 1 Team Time Trial by a solid 13 seconds. Ineos-Grenadiers and Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl round out the podium at second and third, respectively.

The 2022 La Vuelta begins with a 3-stage prelude in the Netherlands. The first stage Team Time Trial starts and finishes in Utrecht. It’s a flat urban course that stretches for 23.2km. Not a long course, but long enough to separate the strong TTT teams from the weak ones, barring on course catastrophes.

Nowhere is the team-aspect of pro cycling more obvious than in the Team Trial. Each squad lines up together at the start and pulls together to the finish, the fifth member of the team crossing the finish being counted for time. 

The strategy is to work as a group to reduce drag. Not every rider on the squad is equally capable in the time trial. It can be tricky to determine when a lagging teammate should be left behind, and when he should be coaxed along. Abandon teammates too early and you’re left without help up front. Abandon them too late and you’re letting the slowest dictate the pace. And however many you abandon, 5 riders need to cross the finish line.

The 21-stage race remains in the Netherlands for Stage 2 tomorrow.