Today’s Vuelta a Burgos opening stage (from S. Domingo de Silos to Romana de Clunia, 149 km) marked today a promising Team Colombia-Coldeportes comeback in Europe, same as yesterday night in the Tour of Utah,  after a period of rest, showing the Escarabajos in good shape as they were in the thick of the action constantly.

On a quite easy course, with the exception of the slight 2-km ascent to the finish line, Carlos Barbero (Caja Rural-RGA) prevailed over Dani Moreno (Katusha), while Jesús Herrada (Movistar Team) rounded out the podium.  Colombia-Coldeportes took ninth with Miguel Angel Rubiano, just 3” behind the winner: Rubiano eventually clinched a top-10 spot coming up in style on the final slope.

Fabio Duarte took the first mountains jersey as a result of KOM points collected throughout a long five-man breakaway up to km 102, until the fatigue got the upper hand, forcing the Colombian rider to give up, with the same outcome for the other four escapees a few kilometres later.

“We really had a positive start in view of the team time trial in Burgos tomorrow, Wednesday. Everyone knows we’re not fond of a TTT, but I feel our riders have plenty of guts so I’m confident they’ll improve their performances day by day from now until Saturday," Sports Director Oscar Pellicioli commented.