Vuelta a Espana 2024: American Brandon McNulty wins the time trial of the first stage

American Brandon McNulty won the opening stage of the Vuelta a Espana with a two-second lead in the individual time trial.

The UAE Team Emirates rider completed the flat 12km stage between Lisbon and Oeiras in 12 minutes and 35 seconds, beating Czech rider Mathias Vacek.

Belgian Wout van Aert seemed to be on his way to a stage win at one point, but had to settle for third place overall after finishing three seconds behind McNulty, who was the second-to-last rider to finish.

Welsh rider Josh Tarling finished sixth, just eight seconds behind the stage winner, as the 20-year-old made his Grand Tour debut.

McNulty said: “I don't know if I expected to win. I knew if something crazy happened I could win, so I guess something crazy happened.”

“I hoped so, but I find it hard to believe. I had super strong legs and felt really good in training.”

Last year's Vuelta winner Sepp Kuss was over half a minute behind three-time champion Primoz Roglic, who was eighth fastest and 17 seconds behind McNulty.

McNulty, 26, will wear the red jersey on Sunday's 194km second stage from Cascais to Ourem.