Day One of La Vuelta is one of the three most challenging days of the tour. At 155 miles, it's the longest and also has contains longest climb, which can get a little nasty in sections. "Epic" is a reasonable way to describe it. Regardless, the Puerto Rican weather gods must have thought this year's crop of riders was looking a little too fit, a little too ready, a little too clean and a little too dry at the starting line this morning, so they decided to pitch in and make the day a little epicer. They began with an evil morning deluge and some gnarly headwinds. Later they served up generous portions of heat, humidity and crosswinds.

The riders certainly noticed, but didn't seem to mind too much and devoured the course the same way they to do every year. In fact, all the Group C riders we watched climb Camino Nuevo made it look easy -- a little too easy for the likes of some of the more hard-hearted photographers who were secretly hoping for a little more drama to preserve in pictures.

At the end of the day, the pelotons arrived in Ponce. The were filthy (and possibly a bit stinky) but they were grinning from ear to ear as usual, 'cause that's how Vuelta riders roll! Time for a well-earned meal, massage, beer and a good night's sleep.