Race report: The veteran Spaniard Pablo Lastras produced a fabulous ride today – not just with his legs but with his racing head as well. He got in the right breakaway, calculated that two of his companions would leave the chasing to Sylvain Chavanel, and launched a perfectly timed attack just 12kms from the line. Racing perfection. Here’s the story of the day …

Roadside: Another HOT day in Spain on La Vuelta, but at least this time I was in the car and it was a proper road stage with a bit of movement involved! The day started quietly and ended in a sprint that would have suited Philippe Gilbert down to the ground. Sky made up for yesterdays team time trial fiasco with a very nice win for Chris Sutton at the beach.

Race report: It’s not far off 40° Celsius and the heat seemed to play tricks with the sprinters’ teams today as none of them really got it absolutely bang on. It’s a redemptive win for Team Sky after yesterday’s ‘error’, and we have a heroic effort in the day’s break from an Aussie battler. Here’s the story …

Roadside: At last; stage 1 of the 2011 La Vuelta a Espaсa has rolled off down the ramp and the first results are there to be seen. Leopard-Trek had a great ride and Sky had a terrible one! I on the other hand had a very nice day at the beach, but it was very hot down there and not just the weather, but also the racing!

A nice, flat, easy TTT to start the Vuelta, right? Wrong! A deceptively difficult opening to this year’s final Grand Tour saw riders on the deck, horrendous time gaps and a fair few contenders on the back foot before the race has got going. The problems even began on the start ramp!

Roadside Preview: Day 2 and it's all go at La Vuelta with press conferences and team presentations to attend. Lots to see but not much to eat...this is not normal for La Vuelta! Could be the crisis I guess? Anyway, pizza on the way home will have to do today; here is what I got up to on Vuelta start minus one!

'Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything,' The words of Vince Lombardi, arguably the most successful American Football coach in the history, his quote applies directly to the 66th Tour of Spain - who wants it most?

Roadside Preview: Yes, it's Vuelta time again, and as the race starts just down the road, I had a leisurely first day sorting a few things out, meeting old friends and looking at race bikes. The day was perfect and washed down with a “Menu del Dia” it couldn’t be bettered, except maybe a race thrown in would make it more interesting! Lots of that to come over the next three weeks.

Roadside Preview: The Giro and Tour have passed, now is my favourite time of year, yip...its La Vuelta a Espaсa time, and it starts on my doorstep! Once again the Vuelta is starting with a team time trial, and it’s in the resort town of Benidorm. Sun, sea and....cycling! This is what the riders and fans have to look forward to.