Maxime Monfort (Lotto-Soudal) gets a wheel change before the stage two start
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
As early season races go, the Ruta del Sol is certainly a toughie. A split stage on day one with a road race and a time trial, as well as two category one summit finishes later in the race, riders have little time to find their race legs if they're hoping to pull out a result .
But it's also the first time for many riders that they'll be taking new bikes, setups and kit into competitive action, and for some possibly the start of racing with a whole new team.
Cycling Weekly's Chris Catchpole took his camera out to Andalucia to catch an inside glimpse at the five-day spanish race.
Jimmy Engoulvent ensures he's ready to go in Andalucia with his Pro Continental Europcar team
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
Moreno Hofland (LottoNL.Jumbo) smiles as he's greeted by some supporters outside his team bus
Some local residents use their prime location to get a glimpse of the riders
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
Kenny Elissonde (FDJ) adjusts his helmet
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
Wanty Groupe Gobert get their distinctive orange Cube bikes lined up ahead of the stage start
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
Chris Froome (Team Sky) makes his way to the stage sign-on
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
CCC bikes lined up for collection by the team bus
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
Cofidis riders get tailed by some fans as they roll out before the stage
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
An MTN-Qhubeka worker capitalises on some time to relax before work begins again
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
Cofidis' spare Orbea bikes loaded on the top the team car
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
Nicholas Roche prepares ahead of his second day of competition in Sky colours
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
A Colombia rider looks concerned as he's snapped on his way to the start
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
Local children were out in their droves to get a look at their favourite riders (probably Alberto Contador)
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
An IAM Cycling ride displays his patched up wounds from a day blighted by crashes
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
A RusVelo rider signs some autographs ahead of stage two
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
The sun was shining but their was still a chill in the air at the Utrera start
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
The crowds were out in droves to see some of the world's best riders roll out
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
The stage gets underway among the hills of Andalucia
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
An Ag2r team Focus Izalco max wait for its rider by the team bus entrance
There was no time for the riders to observe the landscape as the race began to stretch
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
Tinkoff-Saxo team cars park-up in the start town of Utrera
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
The rolling hills of Andalucia make for a picturesque backdrop to the race
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
The peloton winds its way along the course
(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)
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