La Vuelta 2022 - Dutch delight in Utrecht as Jumbo-Visma win opening TTT and Robert Gesink takes red

On a day Utrecht became the first city in the world to have hosted the start of all three of cycling’s Grand Tours, the Dutch delight continued as veteran climber Robert Gesink led home the winning Jumbo-Visma team to take the first red jersey of the 77th edition of La Vuelta. Gesink, 36, finished with the triple champion Primoz Roglic right in his wheel as all eight riders from Jumbo-Visma completed the 23.3km course together to deny their nearest challengers Ineos Grenadiers by 13 seconds.

Jumbo-Visma’s time of 24’40” saw them complete the technical but fast course in an average speed of 56.676 – making it the fifth fastest team time trial in Grand Tour history. Ad “I still can’t believe it,” a beaming Gesink said after securing the first Grand Tour leader’s jersey of his long career.

“I’m really grateful for the boys who were crazy strong. I’m really grateful to be in the red jersey – it’s certainly one of the highlights of my career.

I knew this team had the possibility of winning for sure because they’re so strong. Vuelta a España'They're annoying me now!' — Blythe compares Jumbo-Visma to Ineos after latest signings2 HOURS AGO “Usually, my job is to help the team and to help Primoz.

I think this is a really, really nice way of them to say thank you for all those years of helping. Wearing the red jersey tomorrow on home roads will be a dream come true.” Vuelta 2022 route and stages: What’s in store for Roglic and rivals? La Vuelta 2022: standings and results In a serendipitous twist to proceedings, the Ineos Grenadier rider denied the opportunity of wearing the red jersey on home soil was none other than Dutchman Dylan van Baarle, the Paris-Roubaix winner who, it was announced shortly before the start of the race,