In the gap between thick rows of fans lining either side of a Bilbao boulevard, 21 giant buses waited for the race to begin.
Riders emerged from behind curtains to varying levels of excitement: Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan was road-blocked into posing for selfies; Tom Pidcock slammed on his brakes en route to the start when he spotted his girlfriend and their sausage dog, who wagged furiously; a deep, encouraging roar spread through the crowd as two-time winner Tadej Pogacar stepped out to stretch his legs.
