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Vuelta a Espana 2014: first five observations

Michael Matthews proves potential as Chris Froome looks to make up ground overall

A stunning team time trial effort gave Movistar the upper hand on day one of the Vuelta a Espana – a stark contrast to the Giro d’Italia, where Nairo Quintana was left with time to make up overall.

This time out, the Spanish team bagged the stage win and Jonathan Castroviejo took the first red jersey of this year’s race.

Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana, pictured last year, are joint leaders for Movistar (pic: Sirotti)

For the team’s two leaders, Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde, it was the perfect start to what is set to be an intriguing three weeks for them as they vie for supremacy at Movistar.

The Spanish team insist the two will both enjoy the protected status of team leader until the race situation dictates otherwise.

At present, Valverde has pulled on the red jersey already but it is Quintana – after Valverde lost seven seconds on stage three – who now has a slender advantage overall.

Both have the credentials to lead the team, Quintana having finished second and first in his last two Grand Tours while the more experienced Valverde is ranked number one in the World.

And it will be interesting to see if the team can support two riders – and how those two riders fare as team-mates – in the weeks to come.

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