Felix Großschartner excels with third place on opening day of Itzulia Basque Country

Making a flying start to the week at Itzulia Basque Country, Felix Großschartner rode to third place in the stage 1 individual time trial. The former Austrian ITT champion demonstrated his prowess against the clock, coming home just 27 seconds down on the winning time of Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM).

Großschartner, one of UAE Team Emirates-XRG‘s most experienced riders, produced a ride that saw him placed amongst the hotly anticipated general classification contenders. Making a strong start right from the gun, the 32-year-old powered up the opening climb, continued his efforts through the day’s middle portion, and then danced on the pedals through the tough closing metres.

In doing so, Großschartner maintained a consistent provisional standing throughout his effort, before crossing the line in a time of 17 minutes and 36 seconds. That placed him in second place at the time, with the Austrian just bettered by Kévin Vauquelin of Ineos Grenadiers later in the day.

As Großschartner claimed third, his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Brandon McNulty delivered a characteristically strong ride to take eighth place on stage 1. Tasked with a 13.8km-long individual time trial, the former American national time trial champion ceded only 43 seconds to the day’s winner, Seixas.

The last UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider off the starting ramp was the Mexican, Isaac del Toro. Tasked with heading up the team’s general classification hopes in the Basque Country, the national time trial champion battled hard to 13th place at the finish. His eyes will quickly turn to the mountainous days to come between now and the race’s finale on Saturday.

Speaking to the TV cameras after the finish, Großschartner reflected on a job well done on the opening day in Bilbao.

Großschartner: “Being before guys like Primož Roglič is not so bad. I had a good feeling today. To be honest, after Sanremo, I was a little cracked at home and not feeling so great, so it was a nice surprise today. I really had good power.

“It was more wind than in the recon, I am happy I chose the lower wheels in the front, but no worries and it was still quite good. The most important thing was the start, the first 2.5km, to go super hard but not kill yourself completely. There is still a steady descent where you need to pedal and have good power.

“It was a tough TT with no real time to recover anywhere. In the end, if you did recon, you know the corners, and then it is just about the legs. The guy with the strongest legs won.”

Itzulia Basque Country stage 1 (ITT) results:

1. Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) 17:09

2. Kévin Vauquelin (Ineos Grenadiers) +23″

3. Felix Großschartner (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +27″

8. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +43″

Itzulia Basque Country general classification after stage 1:

1. Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) 17:09

2. Kévin Vauquelin (Ineos Grenadiers) +23″

3. Felix Großschartner (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +27″

8. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +43″