It kicks off with a 5.3 kilometers long prologue, suited to the time trial specialists. Larsson Rolland Sanchez
are favourites for the stage win and the first yellow jersey of this year’s Volta a Portugal. The conditions are excellent, the sun shines, there’s more than 30 degrees, and there’s absolutely no wind in the city streets on the opening stage here in Portugal.
Vlatos
gets the honour of being the first rider out on the roads. He’s expected to have a great future on the time trial bike, though, he isn’t expected to dominate this year’s prologue. Maybe in two years time? He crosses the finishing line in 7’51, which is a good marker for the coming riders.
Sestili
is also a strong time trialist. Venchi has Bodnar on a later start, and Sestili’s ride will no doubt be valuable feedback for Bodnar. And he takes the provisional lead, 7’48 is 3 seconds faster than Vlatos.
Prologue specialist Mouris
is the next rider tipped to challenge the provisional best time. He comes close, but not close enough, 7’49 gives him provisional 2 nd place, 1 second behind Sestili.
Oliveira
The young Portuguese talent will be an important helper for Sanchez’ overall ambitions in their home country. Oliveira must be inspired by the home crowd, and he thunders past the finishing line. But he’s just late! 7’49 gives him provisional third, on the same time as Mouris.
According to the bookmakers, Bodnar
was an outsider for the opening win here in Portugal. The crowd holds their breath as he thunders home. It’s a new best time! 7’41 is 6 seconds better than team mate Sestili, and a brilliant ride by Bodnar. Will it be enough for the stage win?
The big Russian Kovalev
is next rider out with good time trial abilities. He looks determined to prove himself here, and so he does! He’s on the same time as Bodnar, but he’s behind on the hundreds of a second, 7’41 is provisional second place.
De Maar
is the first rider in the last wave of riders having a chance to challenge Bodnar’s provisional best time. His ride is decent, 7’45 is provisional 3rd, 3 seconds off Bodnar’s pace.
Rujigh
had a brilliant ride earlier this season, on Corsica, where he surprised everyone. He and his team hope he can pull of something similar here in Portugal, and this must be considered a good start. He only looses 11 seconds to Bodnar, 7’52 gives him provisional 24th.
De Greef
is a strong rider, and he uses his strength to push him forward on the little climb to the finish line. But he doesn’t quite mix it with the best, 7’48 is provisional 8th, 7 seconds behind.
And here he comes! Home favourite Costa
blitzes to the line, and it’s a brilliant time. Absolutely outstanding! 7’32 is 8 magnificent seconds better than Bodnar, and he’s in a superior lead. That will be a very tough time to beat for anyone.
Krasnoperov
is one of the outsiders to the overall win here in Portugal, thanks to his great climbing skills combined with his decent abilities against the clock. He crosses the line in 7’47, which is 15 seconds behind the brilliant ride of Costa.
Lowe
leads Cyclevox’ overall campaign, thanks to his general strength on climbs and the time trial bike. He comes home in provisional 11th, 16 seconds behind the leading time.
Rolland
was one of the pre-stage favourites, and he's the first real test to Costa's time. The Frenchman has intentions of showing why he was tipped to win the stage, but will it be good enough? No, he’s 3 seconds too slow, 7’35 is a provisional 2nd place. Costa's time is getting better and better.
Sicard
hopes to shine here in Portugal. The French wonderboy is by many tipped to be a future Tour de France winner, and he might prove why here in Portugal. 7’44 gets him a provisional 5th.
There are other wonderkids in the peloton here though! Eastman
is the next rider to arrive, and he does good. 7’44 is provisional 7th, 13 seconds slower than home favourite Costa.
Larsson
was another pre-stage favourite for today, and the home crowd starts to bite their nails when he arrives the finishing line. But there's no need for the Portuguese to be nervous! Larsson is nowhere near Costa, who really put the hammer down. 7’36 is 4 seconds slower, and only good enough for a provisional 3rd.
Paulinho
probably gets the loudest noise from the crowd, being the Portuguese champion on the time trial bike. He’s fast, but not fast enough to threaten his countryman’s lead. 7’40 is provisional 6th.
Last year’s winner, Pellizotti
is back to defend his title. A prologue isn’t what suits him best, but he limits his losses quite well. 7’53 is 21 seconds slower than Costa. (Sorry for no picture of him, thought I had it saved, but clearly not)
Castano
is the penultimate rider on the road, looking for a good start to his overall campaign. 7’45is probably not what he hoped for, and it's 13 seconds slower than Costa, and a provisional 10th.
Last rider to challenge is the Spanish leader of the Portuguese team, Sanchez
takes on the final meters knowing he has to give it everything. But it’s not enough! He gets 4th on the stage, 7’37 is 5 seconds slower than Costa. What a brilliant ride by home favourite Costa, absolutely stunning!
It's a perfect start for the home crowd, as Costa
absolutely nailed it on the opening prologue today. He should be more than capable to hold on to the jersey in the coming days, question is how he will fare on the real mountains. Time will show, but no need to worry about that now. A great start to the race for him and his team!
