"That I can now take over the jersey feels so special" - Edoardo Affini becomes third leader of Vuelta a Espana
Cycling
Jumbo-Visma have won the opening team time-trial and they have ever since worked to reward their domestiques, as Edoardo Affini rode into the red jersey today at the Vuelta a Espana.
“The most important thing was of course winning the team time trial. This is really fantastic. It is very special that we can share this moment with each other," Affini said in a post-race interview. After local riders Robert Gesink and Mike Teunissen got to enjoy the lead of the Vuelta for a day, Teunissen had said earlier in the day that he would be giving up the fight for the stage in order to allow another teammate to take up the lead of the race.
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That man happened to be Edoardo Affini who rode in support of Primoz Roglic in the final kilometers, and then stayed close to the head of the peloton to finish in 20th place, but because of the same time between the Dutch team's riders, he has ridden into the lead of the race.
"First it was two Dutchmen in their own country in the red jersey, that was perhaps even more special for them. That I can now take over the jersey feels so special. I thank my teammates," Affini concluded. Although the hilly first day in Spain will be complicated for the Italian time-trialist, having the spotlight on him will be a big career achievement and a high value reward for the work he does for the team.
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Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
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- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
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- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
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- He should be in a different team. It was detrimental. For them it does not matter if he does not develop. He should have gone to a team where they need him to succeed.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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🇪🇸 #LaVuelta22 Happy Edo! 😃
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