Blow for Geraint Thomas as De Plus crashes out and Ganna punctures in Vuelta TTT

Geraint Thomas gained a small chunk of time on a few of his biggest rivals on the opening day of the Vuelta a España, but in reality it was a rough start to the race for the Welshman and his teammates.

Ineos Grenadiers were among the favourites for the team time trial in Barcelona, but a puncture for Hour Record holder Filippo Gonna mid-way through effectively ended their hopes of the stage win.

Even before that they’d suffered a blow that will have far more serious implications for Thomas’ chances at this Vuelta, as Laurens De Plus crashed out only a few minutes into the ride.

The Belgian climber, who has only recently worked his way back from long periods of injury and illness, was taken to hospital after slipping out on one of the numerous 90-degree bends on a technical Barcelona course made even more treacherous by stormy downpours.

“I was on the front and I went in a bit too hot I think,” Thomas said, explaining the crash.

“We said beforehand that we’d put power down in the straights and take it a bit easy in the corners. I felt confident at that speed in the corners but I think you need to still take an edge off. Going into that right hander I went a bit too fast, which meant De Plus crashed, which is a big shame.”

De Plus got back to his feet after the crash and even tried to remount initially, but was moving very gingerly, and was soon wrapped in a space blanket and stretchered into an ambulance. He is undergoing tests at hospital, with Ineos Grenadiers yet to give an update on the nature of his injuries.

"Our main thoughts at the moment are just with Laurens, and hoping he's ok," team director Steve Cummings told GCN.

Later in the ride, with just under 5km to go, the team’s leading time triallist, Ganna, flatted and had to drop away, leaving Thomas to hit the line with a rather ragged looking group of five.

“The crash just set us off on a bad foot, then Pippo punctured, and a few guys got a bit more nervous after the crash. It wasn’t ideal but we did what we could in the circumstances," Thomas said.

“It was just one of those rides that didn’t feel like it ever got going. That’s the nature of the course - it doesn’t feel like if you’ve got gas it’s hard to use it.

When all was said and done, Ineos Grenadiers placed eight on the stage, 20 seconds off the pace of stage winners dsm-firmenich. In terms of the battle for the overall title, Thomas conceded 20 seconds to Movistar’s Enric Mas and 14 to defending champion Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), but gained 12 on the Jumbo-Visma duo of Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard, and 17 on UAE Team Emirates’ leadership duo.

“Today was about not losing it, which we almost did. It’s going to be seconds today and tomorrow but it’s a very long race,” said Thomas, whose sardonic sense of humour was undimmed.

“A lovely way to start,” he concluded.

If you head to our Vuelta a España landing page, you will find everything you need to know ahead of the race, including our race preview, the route, start list and individual stage previews. Check it out for all that and more.