Vuelta a España 2022: Five things we learned from stage two
Some roads are safer than others, Jumbo-Visma still look good, the Dutch match the Danes
1. Alpecin-Deceuninck do not care for breakaways
A flat day in the Netherlands, the second stage of a three-week Grand Tour, surely letting the break get five minutes and then bringing them back towards the end for the expected sprint makes sense for everyone? Well, not if you're Alpecin-Deceuninck at the Vuelta a España 2022.
After stringing out the peloton and bringing the break back to within half a minute, Alpecin sat off for a little while before returning to the front and chasing the break once again. As it was, the peloton passed the leaders with 58.4km to go and Alpecin maintained their guard on the front of the main bunch.
They'd worked hard all day, left on the front for much of the stage by all other teams happy to let them ride, but the plan came unstuck when the win went to Sam Bennett of Bora-Hansgrohe and Alpecin's Tim Merlier could only muster third.
2. Euskaltel-Euskadi are making up for lost time
A peloton without the orange of Euskaltel-Euskadi just didn't look right. The Basque team were a staple of Grand Tours until the original iteration folded in 2013. Now the orange clad team are back in the professional peloton, and their riders wasted no time in getting seen on the first road stage of the 2022 Vuelta a España.
First, Xabier Mikel Azparren formed part of the doomed five-man breakaway then, once that was caught, Luis Ángel Maté thought he'd have a go off the front. He got and maintained an advantage of around 30 seconds for a while, but he was never going to win the stage.
Let's hope the team are as active throughout the rest of the race as they try to make their presence known after a few years away from the biggest races.
3. The Dutch have seen what the Danes did and matched it
Remember the scenes from the Tour de France's visit to Denmark just a few weeks ago? Massive crowds, flags, smiling faces and one of the best Grand Departs ever... Well the Dutch saw that too, took note and have arguably matched it all to welcome the Vuelta a España's visit to the Netherlands.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Large crowds in town and country alike waved the riders past out on the stage and huge numbers of spectators welcomed the riders across the line at the end of Stage 2. Heel goed!
4. Dutch roads are safe for everyday riders but can be a nightmare for racers
Again much like Denmark, the Netherlands cares about the safety of people on bikes in a way that we can only dream of in the UK and elsewhere.
However, what makes the Netherlands safe for commuters, school kids and recreational riders – proper infrastructure to keep cars clear of people and to keep motor vehicle speeds down – can also prove problematic for 180+ pro cyclists coming through at full tilt.
The road furniture causes pinch points that sometimes lead to crashes. But the riders know that and it's keeping a lot more people a lot safer for the other 364 days of the year.
5. Jumbo-Visma's 'B' team is better than most 'A' teams
It's perhaps unfair to call a squad containing three-time defending champion Primoz Roglic a 'B' team, but then any line-up not containing Wout van Aert is, in our opinion, a second string these days.
Regardless, Jumbo-Visma are looking very strong after yesterday's team time-trial victory and taking charge of the peloton when needed today. They even finished the day by swapping the red jersey from one teammate to the other, Robert Gesink to Mike Teunissen.
If they can keep Roglic upright for three weeks the win should be theirs – assuming, of course, he's recovered well from his injuries sustained at the Tour de France. Only time will tell on that, but already this team – racing on home roads in the Netherlands – are looking stronger than most.
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
Jack Elton-Walters hails from the Isle of Wight, and would be quick to tell anyone that it's his favourite place to ride. He has covered a varied range of topics for Cycling Weekly, producing articles focusing on tech, professional racing and cycling culture. He moved on to work for Cyclist Magazine in 2017 where he stayed for four years until going freelance. He now returns to Cycling Weekly from time-to-time to cover racing, review cycling gear and write longer features for print and online.
-
Is the Cycle to Work scheme disadvantaging those who really need it?
Questions have been raised about the commission providers charge local bike shops - but the scheme could be improved for users, too
By Sam Jones Published
-
It's Commuting Week at Cycling Weekly - here's what you can expect
Join us as we celebrate all things riding from A to B this week
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan Published
-
Sepp Kuss: 'I can fight for the Grand Tours. I can be with the best guys'
Rather than seeking leadership opportunities at lesser teams, Kuss embraces being "second card" for Visma-Lease a Bike
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Will Sepp Kuss spark a US road cycling revival?
It’s been some 15 years since we saw such an exciting contingent of American riders in the WorldTour; there’s hope their ember can spark a fire in the hearts of American sports fans
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
There should be no more flying in Grand Tours
In the age of climate crisis, no race organiser should create an event that means air travel will be used
By Adam Becket Published
-
Michel Hessmann anti doping positive a ‘black day’ for Jumbo-Visma says boss
22-year-old German rider suspended by Dutch team in August after positive test revealed presence of diuretics
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
How much did Sepp Kuss and Jumbo-Visma win at the Vuelta a España 2023?
Turns out locking out the podium for much of the race gets you quite a few Euros
By Adam Becket Published
-
Five things we learned from the Vuelta a España 2023: Sepp Kuss is the real deal and Ineos still lacking
Here's what we learned from the final Grand Tour of the 2023 season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Kaden Groves wins final stage of Vuelta a España as Sepp Kuss confirms victory
Sepp Kuss completes his victory in the Vuelta a España around the streets of Madrid
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Sepp Kuss set to win historic Vuelta a España as Wout Poels claims stage 20
American poised for an unexpected but worthy Grand Tour victory in Madrid
By Tom Davidson Published