Photos by Me – Map by lavuelta.com
“The Vuelta a España is an annual road bicycle race. Established in 1935 by the Spanish newspaper Informaciones, the Vuelta is one of cycling’s three “Grand Tours”, along with the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia” [wiki]
“This years edition had its Grand Depart in the French city of Nimes. Nîmes is located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Cévennes mountains. The estimated population of Nîmes is 146,709 (2012). Nîmes has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire when the city was home to 50,000–60,000 people. Several famous monuments are in Nîmes, such as the Nîmes Arena and the Maison Carrée” [wiki]
Maison Carrée
The spectacular backdrop of the Nimes Roman Arena for the departure of Etape 2
Team Bahrain Merida
Vincenzo Nibali
Alberto Contador (above) – this will be his last professional Grand Tour, pictured here in the Garden of Fountains after the Team Presentations
Fabio Aru of Astana – current Italian National Champion
Team Sky
Romain Bardet
Adam and Simon Yates (below) – Spot the difference 🙂
Quick-Step
Yves Lampaert of Quick Step – who went on to win Etape 2
Warren Barguil (above left) of Team Sunweb
Team Time Trial – Etape 1
FDJ
FDJ – Team Time Trial (above) and in practice (below)
Aqua Blue Sports
Bora
Team BMC won Etape 1 – Team Time Trial: Francisco Jose Ventoso Alberdi pictured here
Stage 2 Roll Out – 20 August 2017 – Nimes