BMC Racing Team claims the Vuelta a Espana team time trial win! (c) TDWSport.com

BMC Racing Team Demonstrate Team Time Trial Prowess With Victory on Vuelta a España Stage 1

Rolling off the ramp as one of the pre-race favorites, BMC Racing Team quickly settled into a seamless rhythm as they looked to better 16'04", the time set by Quick-Step Floors. 

After powering around the technical and demanding 13.7km circuit, the finish line came into view, and with Dennis leading the final six riders across the line, the clock stopped at an impressive 15'58". 

It was a short but tense wait in the hot seat, but in the end, BMC Racing Team was the only team to go under the 16-minute mark which was enough to seal the victory on stage 1 with Dennis securing the red leader's jersey. 

Quotes From the Finish Line 

Rohan Dennis: 

"Everything went to plan today, and we executed our TTT perfectly. I think we were still a little bit nervous when Team Sky came in and I thought that we had maybe lost it on the line, but in the end, we came out as the strongest team." 

"It was a hard course. It wasn't just a straightforward time trial. It was technical at the start, and we had to tactically figure out if it was better to finish at the top of the hill with nine riders or if we drop a few guys. The course tested everything: strength, technique, and speed. You had to be the best in every aspect, and we showed our true power today." 

"It feels great to wear the red jersey, but it is a little bit of a different feeling to when I won the first yellow jersey of the Tour in 2015. I feel like it is an achievement but today, it was a team effort and every rider won, and I am the only one who gets to wear the jersey." 

"We know there is the chance of some wind tomorrow, and I spoke to Loïc Vliegen about a similar circuit they did at Route du Sud, and he said it was very windy along the beach so, it's going to be tough, but for us, we're not here to sprint. In terms of the race overall, my goal here is not really the General Classification. Instead, I want to test myself against some of the GC guys in the mountains, and hopefully, I can come away with a few stages, and this is the first one." 

Nicolas Roche: 

"The main goal this morning was all about getting the team across the line first, and it is amazing to be on the podium once again at the Vuelta a España. BMC Racing Team really enjoys and prepares well for team time trials and it is important to have a plan. Regardless of whether we win or lose it is important to have a plan and stick to it." 

"I think Monday will be an important day for the team to see where everyone is at and who is riding for the GC or riding for stages. I think I am in decent condition, and I've done everything I can do to come back here and do well, so I am excited about this race." 

Sports Director, Yvon Ledanois: 

"It couldn't have been a better start to the Vuelta a España. This was our first goal coming into this race, and it is always important to have a good start to boost everyone's morale. With this victory, I think everyone will be motivated to do a good race over the next three weeks. It is not easy to win a short team time trial like this, but we prepared very well, and this is a really good win for the team. Of course, we are also happy to see Rohan Dennis in the leader's jersey plus we have Nicolas Roche and Daniel Oss in the Mountains and Combination jerseys. Everyone is happy."