
Javier Guillen, the director of La Vuelta, has a big smile after the race's debut in Italian territory. And in an interview with Paolo Colombo, he explained clearly: "It has been a fantastic celebration for the Vuelta's 90 years, with a start in a splendid and historic location, with countless people along the roads, and a worthy winner in Novara. Italy has welcomed us magnificently - it's no coincidence that we are in one of the cradles of cycling, in the land of Bartali and Coppi, of Pantani and Nibali, of Aru who has written important pages in the Vuelta's history. And today there's a stage with a mountain finish, and who knows if Italy might not applaud the victory of one of its riders..."