Chris Froome went out to preview the seaside Vuelta a España team time trial course, and the Sky leader did not like what he saw. Froome, the reigning Tour de France champion, tweeted several photos on Thursday showing what appears to be a sandy bike path that will be part of the stage 1 test.
Preview of Saturday’s @lavuelta 7,4km TTT course pic.twitter.com/PbnIbDBTWn
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) August 20, 2015
Nicholas Roche, one of Froome’s teammates also expressed his disbelief.
Vuelta ttt!!!! Are you joking???? pic.twitter.com/koVlW7T72w
— nicholas roche (@nicholasroche) August 20, 2015
Asked about the course, another member of the peloton, American Alex Howes (Cannondale-Garmin) seemed less concerned about the road surface. “It’s pretty much just a dirt road. It’s a bit lumpy.
“I don’t think flats will be an issue. There’s about 1km of pavement, 1km of marble paving stones, 4km of dirt, and 1km of bricks. And a stretch on a wooden bridge/dock. It’s definitely an interesting course and will require teams to exercise caution.
“No one is going to win the Vuelta on the opening day, but it’s possible to lose it.”
Contacted by AFP, José Luis de Santos, the Vuelta delegate for the riders’ union, CPA (Cyclists Professional Associates), acknowledged that the course was “dangerous” but stressed that a meeting was scheduled for Thursday afternoon with the organizers to try to find solutions.
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