The 2016 Vuelta a España is undoubtedly one for the climbers. With 10 summit finished and no pure sprint stages until stage 21, those quick uphill should flourish over the mountainous terrain of the Spanish Grand Tour.
But as has become an annual feature in recent year's at the Vuelta, the riders will take on a team time trial to kick it all off on stage one.
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It's significantly longer than last year's opening TTT of 7.4km along the sea front to Marbella, with a hilly 29.4km course in the north-western city of Ourense.
It's unlikely that we'll see many gaps between the key GC contenders after the opening TTT, but the teams will need to be well organised beforehand to ensure that no-one loses the race here before it's really begun.
Alberto Contador's Tinkoff team will set off last out all 22 squads, with Chris Froome and Team Sky scheduled for the penultimate slots four minutes before.
Bora-Argon 18 will be the first team off the start ramp at 17-30 UK time, while Astana, who won the race last year with Fabio Aru, will roll off the ramp in fourth place at 18-38.
Start list
Vuelta a España 2016 stage one team time trial (Laias do Miño (Ourense)), 29.4km:
1. Bora-Argon 18 (Ger) 17-26 (UK time)
2. Direct Enrgie (Fra) 17-30
3. Lotto-Soudal (Bel) 17-34
4. Astana (Kaz) 17-38
5. Lampre-Merida (Ita) 17-42
6. Dimension Data (RSA) 17-46
7. IAM Cycling (Sui) 17-50
8. Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (Esp) 17-54
9. FDJ (Fra) 18-02
10. Etixx-Quick Step (Bel) 18-02
11. Katusha (Rus) 18-06
12. Cofidis, Solutions Credits (Fra) 18-10
13. Cannondale-Drapac (USA) 18-14
14. Ag2r La Mondiale (Fra) 18-18
15. Trek-Segafredo (USA) 18-22
16. Orica-BikeExchange (Aus) 18-26
17. Giant-Alpecin (Ger) 18-30
18. BMC Racing (USA) 18-34
19. LottoNL-Jumbo (Ned) 18-38
20. Movistar (Esp) 18-42
21. Team Sky (GBr) 18-46
22. Tinkoff (Rus) 18-50
