Michal Kwiatkowski thanks Peter Kennaugh for setting him up for Vuelta red jersey
Kennaugh helped his teammate to fourth place in the sprint on the second stage of the Vuelta a España and a stint in the red jersey


Pete Kennaugh did not have to, but he turned to Michal Kwiatkowski in the closing kilometres of the Vuelta a España's stage two and asked him if he wanted a chance to take over his red leader's jersey. Kwiatkowski says that it was thanks to Kennaugh that he was able to take over the lead, which came via fourth place in Baiona.
The Brit took the lead yesterday when he led Team Sky over the line in the opening team time trial. His priority today was to look out for Chris Froome, but once he saw his leader was safe, he hatched a plan with Polish teammate Kwiatkowski.
"I'm very thankful to Pete, who gave me the opportunity to sprint in today's final, to go for the bonus seconds and the win," the 2014 world champion said sitting inside the interview trailer at the finish. "I'm really thankful to the team that it was possible.
"A few kilometres before the final, Pete asked me if I wanted to sprint and I accepted this proposition. He led me out. We were up there in the mix, and we were sure that Chris was safe and out of danger so there was no risk that he would lose time. We could play it like that and I'm really thankful to Pete."
Belgian Gianni Meersman (Etixx–Quick-Step) won the sprint, Kwiatkowski took fourth and Kennaugh 33rd. The jury awarded the red jersey to Kwiatkowski due to his higher placing because they were all on the same time.
Sky won the opening time trial by a fraction of a second over team Movistar. The risk today was that José Joaquín Rojas, of team Movistar, would sprint and take the leader's jersey
"We knew that Rojas could sprint for bonifications today. He was one of the guys two could take the red jersey," added Kwiatkowski. "I was looking at him before the finish, but I decided to go and try to out sprint him. We didn't want to just give up the red jersey for free because we deserve to still keep it after yesterday."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Rojas placed 12th and moved to second overall on the same time with Kwiatkowski. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) sits third and Froome fourth overall.
"For me it's an incredible feeling that I had the opportunity to get the red jersey," Kwiatkowski said. "It's one of the nicest starts to the races that I had. Winning the team time trial with Team Sky is incredible."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Mike's Bikes 'mega sale' is live and site wide with discounts over 50%
Running until Sunday all products are discounted including complete bikes, clothing, smart trainers and much more
By Luke Friend
-
Can you be a pro athlete and an environmentalist? Earth Day reflections from a pro cyclist trying to be both
How Sarah Sturm reconciles her life as a pro cyclist with her environmental values
By Sarah Sturm
-
'It can really push me along' - How a velodrome comeback is making Caleb Ewan faster on the road
Australian says he'll "definitely" continue track work after rekindling passion
By Tom Davidson
-
Could Caleb Ewan be Ineos Grenadiers' first Tour de France sprinter since Mark Cavendish? 'That's my goal'
"All I can do is try to win as much as possible and prove that I deserve to be there," says Australian
By Tom Davidson
-
'An unprecedented opportunity for brands to be part of the evolution' - Ineos Grenadiers sponsor hunt steps up with sales agency partnership
Sportfive have been employed to find "non-endemic global partners for the team"
By Adam Becket
-
'We've all got a little bit extra in us this year' - Ineos Grenadiers recapture 'fighting spirit' with aggressive Paris-Nice display
British team continue to put tumultuous 2024 behind them with momentum and a new found mentality
By Tom Thewlis
-
Could a TotalEnergies deal be the end of Ineos Grenadiers as we know them?
Reports suggested this week that Ineos could be close to signing a deal with the French petrochemical firm
By Tom Thewlis
-
'They’re racing with their hearts again' - Robbie McEwen on Ineos Grenadiers' bright start to 2025
The British squad have already won four times in 2025
By Tom Thewlis
-
Ineos Grenadiers are entertaining so far this year, but how long will it last?
The British WorldTour squad have won four times already in 2025, but more than that, they have been fun. Is this the new dawn?
By Adam Becket
-
Caleb Ewan says he was put in a 'bad situation' by Jayco AlUla before he joined Ineos Grenadiers
Ewan joined Ineos Grenadiers in January after spending just one year with Jayco AlUla
By Tom Thewlis