Tinkoff-Saxo finished second on the inaugural TTT of the Vuelta a España 2015, just 1 second off the win behind BMC. Although the time differences had been neutralized beforehand, the squad led by Majka and Sagan chose to go full throttle on the tricky parcours. Satisfaction and disappointment go hand in hand after the stage, where Peter Sagan took the green points jersey.
 
After the opening TTT, Tristan Hoffman, sports director of Tinkoff-Saxo underlines that it is difficult to pinpoint, where the team could have gained a second.
 
“There was a lot of discussion before the start and all the stakeholders agreed on this solution, where the GC would be neutralized. But the victory was still on the line and we chose to go full gas just as we had done on the recon. I have to say chapeau to the boys, they performed very well and rode a very good TTT. We’re glad that we beat Orica by a fraction and then we were in the hot seat”, tells Tristan Hoffman and adds:
 
“We all wanted to secure this win so when BMC finished just under a second faster than us, we were naturally very disappointed. However, we are very satisfied with the performance and this start. It’s difficult to identify, where we could have gained that extra second as the squad went at full intensity throughout the route”.

Despite missing out on the, always, prestigious team time trial win, Rafal Majka remains optimistic.
 
“Although the time-trial was neutralized and doesn't count towards the GC, our plan was to give our best and fight for the win. We didn't want to take any unnecessary risks but at the same time we weren't there to take an easy ride. Congratulations to the entire squad for the great effort they put today on that tricky and technical course. We missed the first spot for less than a second but that is just the start of a long and tough Vuelta”, comments Rafal Majka after the 7.4km time trial from Puerto Banús to Marbella.
 
Tinkoff-Saxo has now effectively embarked on the challenging 2015 Vuelta a España, where the race sends the riders inland and uphill for stage 2.
 
“As the disappointment settles, we of course focus on the fact that today’s performance shows that our riders have come to the start of the race in a good shape and that they have done their homework. Tomorrow will be very different and very hard. Our approach is still that we will take the race day by day and see where we are. But for tomorrow, we will work for Rafal and protect him, as the route and finish in particular is demanding”, finishes Tristan Hoffman.