Vuelta a Espana: Gesink leads after Jumbo-Visma dominate stage one team time-trial

It was a day to remember for the Dutch team as they hit the ground running in the team time-trial.

Jumbo-Visma covered the 23.3-kilometre route in 24 minutes and 40 seconds, with Gesink first across the line to ensure he will don La Roja for stage two from 's-Hertogenbosch back to Utrecht on Saturday.

Ineos Grenadiers were 13 seconds back in second place, with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl third at the start of the last Grand Tour of the year.

Jumbo-Visma's fit-again defending champion Primoz Roglic could not have asked for a much better start to his bid to become the first rider to win the Vuelta in four successive years.

Team BikeExchange-Jayco were fourth, with Chris Froome's Israel Premier Tech down in 16th.

Etapa - Stage | #LaVuelta22Siente la emoción del último kilómetros gracias a @CarrefourESRewatch the last km. of @JumboVismaRoad's victory thanks to @CarrefourES#CarrefourConLaVuelta pic.twitter.com/xQoprXp74l

— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) August 19, 2022

Slovenian Roglic abandoned the Tour de France last month, having soldiered on despite suffering a dislocated shoulder and a back injury when he crashed on stage five.

Having been passed fit for a shot at history in a race he has dominated, the 32-year-old was delighted with the start his team made.

He said: "It's a great feeling. I think it's well deserved. It was really nice to be out today with huge crowds and with my guys. Everyone did a perfect job, so we were enjoying.

"My condition is good enough to win today. I'm super happy about it. It was a pleasure today, the guys did a really great job. Twenty days more to come."

On Gesink being in red, Roglic said: "He's the one that deserves it the most, it's a pleasure racing for so many years with him. I started with him in the team, he taught me a lot and it's nice to win as the home team with a home rider."

1. Jumbo-Visma 24:40 2. Ineos Grenadiers 24:53 3. Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl 24:54 4. Team BikeExchange-Jayco 25:11 5. UAE Team Emirates 25:13

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