Imperious

A close contest was expected in the Individual Time Trial between Roglic and race leader Evenepoel, but the Belgian proved to be streets ahead of everyone else. What doubts can remain that Remco Evenepoel is the best rider in the race, and that there is a changing of the guard as the younger generation oust the establishment. The Vuelta is not quite half way through, but most commentators seem ready for the coronation of the new King of Spain already.

In the Green Wight Red minileague, four teams notch up the stage win (I just noticed that Evenepoel already has 5 top ten stage finishes). It’s Dr. James’ Porridge squad who achieve top points, with the assistance of Carlos Rodriguez in 4th and Simon Yates (he’s looking very good…) in 7th. Everyone had at least one rider in the top ten on the time trial.

However…

… COVID-19 is increasingly affecting the race. That accounted for most of the eight riders who did not start the ITT on Stage 10. They included Ethan Hayter for SkyNEOS, Sam Bennett for BORA and Edoardo Affini for the Jumbos. 8 out of 12 minileague teams had someone withdraw; Cuchara de Madera aqui, Velo Espana, Dream Catcher and The Pain in Spain (ouch!) each lost two. And two good’uns an’ all! So the charmed start to this Vuelta is becoming a grim war of attrition, with only three teams remaining unscathed with all 9 riders still going: Vuelta Siesta, Team CicloMinaccia and ¡Llama a la llama en llamas! Those llamas are flaming lucky!

On the rise

Two teams stand out on the leaderboard after stage 10: Callan’s posiblemente el último are making steady progress mid-table, while Dr James’ patent oat-based nutrition experiment is on the up and up. Where will it end? (Yeah yeah, Madrid, I know)