Distance: 16.5km
Highest point: 10m
Terrain: Flat
Category: Team time trial
This will be an evening of many firsts. The 65th Vuelta a España will be kicked off by a short team time trial and take place under lights on a course that incorporates many of Seville's most renowned sights.
Starting in the Plaza de Maestranza, next to Spain's oldest bullring, the pan-flat course is highly technical over the first 5km. After that, the 22 teams will be able to get up to full cruising speed as the course follows the Guadalquivir river to the finish next to the 12-sided Torre del Oro, which was built by the Moors in the 13th century. The first rider home in the fastest squad on the night will be presented with the new red leader's jersey.
Impeccable teamwork will be vital on such a short, technical stage, which seems to suggest that Team Sky will be among the favourites on their Vuelta debut. At the Giro, they narrowly lost out to Liquigas on a course twice as long as this one, and they should have an edge over the Italians in Seville, because their line-up is likely to be stronger. HTC-Columbia and Garmin won't be far away, though.
-
Tadej Pogačar's rainbow Colnago Y1Rs sells for nearly $200,000 at auction
Last-minute bids push final offer up to $190,500 -
'I have the feeling he's had enough of training' – Mathieu van der Poel raring to make competitive cyclocross return at Namur World Cup
'As things stand now, we can be almost certain that Mathieu will be at the start in Namur. Mathieu is fine and has trained well' says Alpecin-Premier Tech manager -
'It’s been an amazing journey so far, but it’s not over yet' – Michał Kwiatkowski among five key riders extending with Ineos Grenadiers
Veteran British stalwart Ben Swift also extends stay in professional peloton on a one-year deal -
When will we see Mathieu van der Poel vs Wout van Aert this winter? 'Big Two' schedules and clashes confirmed as Tom Pidcock swerves cyclocross
Eternal rivals set to race limited campaigns once again, with five key clashes confirmed
