“We know what to do” – UAE, INEOS, and Lidl-Trek set to challenge Visma in Vuelta TTT

Stage 5 of the 2025 Vuelta a España brings the peloton to its first major test against the clock: a 24-kilometer team time trial. With no climbs on the course, speeds will be high, though the presence of several technical sections means caution is essential to avoid costly crashes. The gaps between general classification contenders may not be huge, but every second could prove decisive over three weeks of racing. On paper, Jonas Vingegaard’s Team Visma | Lease a Bike are widely seen as the favourites, but things do not always go the way of the form book.

Rivals, however, are determined to make their mark. Joao Almeida of UAE Team Emirates – XRG explained to In de Leiderstrui, "We're professionals, and you learn these disciplines from the junior level onwards. We've done it regularly in recent years, so we're comfortable riding close together. It comes naturally; we know what to do." His teammate echoed the optimism, saying, "I think everyone feels good in the team; it's a discipline we generally do well in, so I hope to have a good day tomorrow. It would be great to have the red jersey in the team; the gaps aren't that big yet, so anything is possible tomorrow."

At Visma, head of performance Mathieu Heijboer stressed that experience and cycling culture play a role in success. "I don't think it's that easy, but I think that also has a bit to do with the culture you come from. In the Netherlands, there's already quite a lot of attention paid to time trials and the team time trial at a young age. In other cycling cultures, it's much less so, and in Great Britain, it's even more prevalent than here. We've seen often enough how things can go wrong." For Vingegaard’s team, the challenge is not just about power but also precision.

Other squads are also eyeing the stage. Lidl-Trek sporting director Steven de Jongh was realistic yet hopeful, saying, "I think we have a pretty strong team for the team time trial; I don't think we have a definite chance of a top result." The team fields specialists such as Daan Hoole, Mads Pedersen, and Søren Kragh Andersen, all of whom could deliver a strong ride.

Bora’s Jai Hindley noted the fatigue factor after the previous day’s long transfer. "I think the fourth stage, and especially the long transfer from France to Spain, will cause a lot of fatigue. But I have a lot of confidence in the team we have for the team time trial. I think we can put in a good performance."

Preparation has been key for many. INEOS Sports Director Christian Knees underlined their approach, explaining, "To create a good feeling within our Vuelta team, we came to this Vuelta earlier for a training session. On Wednesday, we'll also have a chance to look at the course and make a plan.” With teams fine-tuning tactics and riders eager to seize early advantages, stage 5 promises to deliver both speed and strategy.

After the chaos of Barcelona in 2023, organisers of the Vuelta a España will be determined not to repeat such a scenario. That opening team time trial was marred by heavy rain, fading daylight, and dangerously slick roads, prompting 2022 red jersey winner Remco Evenepoel to call it “super-dark” and “ridiculous.”

The backlash from riders, fans, and team officials forced a reckoning over safety and scheduling. Going forward, the race is expected to avoid late-evening starts for technical stages, especially those run through city streets where visibility is critical. Organisers will also place greater emphasis on contingency planning, ensuring earlier start windows or adjusted routes if weather forecasts suggest risk. The lesson from 2023 was clear: spectacle cannot come at the expense of rider safety, and the organisers will be hoping there will be no repeat of that drama today.