Visma double victory at the start of the Vuelta a Burgos: Brennan and Tulett on top

General classification: Visma controls the standings

Behind the two Britons followed a quartet of other classification riders, including the East Tyrolean Marco Schrettl and the Austrian Felix Gall. Both stayed in the leading group and kept their chances of a high placing in the overall classification of the Spanish stage race.

With Patrick Konrad, another Lidl-Trek professional was also represented in the top ranks. The Austrian confirmed his recently upward form and, together with his teammate, ensured that Lidl-Trek is the second team to enter the fight for the general classification.

Austrians Gall and Schrettl in lurking position

The stage ran over rolling terrain in the province of Burgos, before the mountain finish in Pineda de la Sierra provided the expected setting for a selection. In the steep ramps, several favorites lost contact with the leading group, which changes the starting situation for the following stages.

The focus now turns to the upcoming stages, which provide for further mountain finishes and an individual time trial. With the double lead in the overall classification, Visma-Lease a Bike has a strong starting position, but the competition around Gall, Schrettl, and the Astana team remains within reach.

Outlook: Mountain finishes and time trials to follow

Team Astana, which is also competing in Burgos with a strong lineup, wants to push into the leading group in the coming days. The team has several mountain-strong classification riders and could make the difference on the demanding stages.

The start of the stage race had already begun the previous day with a first stage, which was also shaped by riders from the environment of the later winners. This shows that the peloton of the Vuelta a Burgos is also broadly international in this edition.

In the general classification, Brennan now leads ahead of Tulett, followed by riders from Lidl-Trek and other teams. The gaps in the top ten are small, so that the stage race through the province of Burgos and its mountains remains wide open.