Lampre-Merida kicks of Vuelta with a disappointing performance on the TTT course this evening.

It wasn't an exciting start of the Vuelta for Lampre-Merida in the 27,4 kilometer team time trial from Vilanova de Arousa to Sanxenxo , the Team finished at 11th place with a delay of 56" from the winner Astana.

The team manager of the Italian team, Joxean Fernández Matxín, could not hide his disappointment after TTT.

"Today we are definitely not lived up to our expectations, it is useless to hide. We were counting to be able to close the first stage around the 6th position managing to shave about 20" from our time. Unfortunately it did not succeed but this is only the first step in a long and hard Vuelta a Espana.”

The Vuelta is still in its very beginning and everything can happen. Matxín stresses that it was not all bad and positive signs were recognizable amongst the riders.

“I still saw some positive signs in our group of athletes, starting from the union and moral development from the guys present at this race. I have to say that Luca Dodi surprised me today for how he contributed to the race after the long and forced stop for injury. “

Lampre-Merida’s GC hope for the Vuelta, Scarponi, lost crucial seconds in the battle for the overall today, but Matxín finds faith in Scarponi’s performance on the bike today and is looking towards the mountains.

“Ulissi and Scarponi showed great legs on the ups and downs that the patch of the trial presented today, this bodes well regard to their condition. We are aware that it will not be easy to recover 56 " to a runner like Nibali, but if we look to tomorrow there will be already climbs out there.”