On the opening road stage of the 2010 Vuelta, a hot slog from inland Andalucia to the Costa del Sol, the main goal for the general classification hopefuls was to stave off the sun as best as possible and get to the finish line in one piece. 2008 Tour de France champion, Carlos Sastre, managed just that and will head into tomorrow's lumpy third stage with his hopes of a first Vuelta victory still looking good.
"We have suffered unbearable heat. The first 130 kilometers of the race, you could see that riders were really tired."
The heat was on everyone's minds before, during, and after the stage, but matters were made even worse following the late night team time trial to kick off the Vuelta yesterday in Sevilla. The spectacle was an amazing one, but the hoped for rest in the midst of a Grand Tour was just not a possibility on opening night.
"Today has been especially hard after the little rest we had after the stage last night."
Even with the oppressive heat and lack of sleep, the native of Avila got through the day with nary a problem. Though he finished the day 155th, one of the last riders on the same time as the day's winner, Yauheni Hutarovich, Sastre managed to accomplish all of his goals for the first stage.
"I have not had any problems. The team worked well and the most important thing today was to stay hydrated throughout the race and, above all, not to lose any time at the end of the stage and not get caught behind a fall that would prevent me from being where I want to be."
A 155th place will not suffice in tomorrow's hot and difficult third stage. The first category one climb of the 2010 Vuelta will likely cause a selection, and the final bumpy run-in to Malaga capped off with an uphill finish could possibly draw out the GC hopes.