For the second time in its history, the Vuelta a España gets under way in Portugal. Back in 1997, the race began with a road stage from Lisbon to Estoril, with Lars Michaelsen claiming the first yellow jersey in a bunch sprint.
This time out, the Vuelta sets out from the Portuguese capital with a 12km individual time trial. The race begins in the district of Belém, famed for its eponymous tower and its production of pastéis de nata. The flat course takes riders along the banks of the Tagus river towards the finish in Oeiras, where the first red jersey of the Vuelta will be awarded.
-
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad men LIVE - Mathieu van der Poel ready for battle on first day of Opening Weekend
The elite men tackle 12 climbs, including the back-to-back Muur-Kapelmuur, Bosberg in 207.6km Spring Classics opener -
'It's a steep learning curve, and this will add to it' – Visma-Lease a Bike insist no extra pressure on Matthew Brennan in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad despite absence of Wout van Aert
20-year-old Briton steps up to the plate for the Dutch squad following Van Aert's sickness -
How to watch Omloop Het Nieuwsblad – Live streams, TV channels, schedule for today's race
All of the broadcast information for the opening Flemish Classic of the season -
'Pick them up to bring them on board' - Shadowing SRAM race technicians as they support pro team mechanics at Opening Weekend
Following the brand specialists that help pro mechanics get the best out of their equipment
