August 24 post: Today (Tuesday) it was 104F / 40C in Sevilla, the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain, where the 75th Vuelta a España starts on Saturday. Fortunately, the team time trial opener starts at 10 PM local time just as Spaniards sit down to their typically late dinner.

A team time-trial on dimly lit streets really does seem like a recipe for disaster; however, the course is technical so we'll see whether cycling under the lights is more hazardous to your health than cycling at bedtime. Give an advantage to the Spanish riders.

The course is a flat one as we are in the plains of Spain with a 13 km route that spends much time along the Guadalquivir River. The start and finish takes place just a few streets away from Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world, along the river.

Spanish team Caisse d'Epargne with it's predominantly Spanish riders will be among the favorites. Also look at the strong teams fielded by Garmin-Transitions, Liquigas-Doimo, HTC-Columbia and Saxo Bank who will bring Fabian Cancellara. At only 13 km in length, the time gaps between the first and last teams won't be significant. — Steve
Team time trial start times — cyclingnews
Night-time TTT clicks Vuelta a España into gear — velonews