Vuelta stage 2 GC times shifted to start of Montjuic circuit after rider protests

MATAR SPAIN AUGUST 27 Javier Guillen of Spain La Vuelta Director prior to the 78th Tour of Spain 2023 Stage 2 a 1818km stage from Matar to Barcelona UCIWT on August 27 2023 in Matar Spain Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

Vuelta a España organisers have bowed to rider and team pressure and agreed to extend the ‘neutralised’ GC section of the stage 2 final to nine kilometres from the finish.

Riders like Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) had protested vigorously about race conditions after the stage 1 TTT which was partly held in torrential rain and encroaching darkness, and saw numerous crashes.