The first stage of the 2023 La Vuelta was a controversial one. The Team Time Trial was planned to take place at the end of the day so that the 40 degree summer heat of Spain wouldn't be so strong. While for weeks Barcelona enjoyed perfect sunny days that only went down after nine o clock, as luck would have, this opening stage coincided with the first storm in months. Soon, what was an enjoyable end of the evening opening stage became a soaking wet, dark stage with little illumination and thunders reverberating all around. Cyclists were falling down on the curves as if they were on a slip'n'slide.

This episode was recorded at ground level at the inside of the last curve before the ending line. Riders passed by flying at over 50 km/h within centimeters of the recorder. Although it's hard to replicate, I believe the energy of being there was at least a little captured through sound , thunder, rain, helicopters, police cars, motorcycles, the audience roaring in support and banging their hands on the protection barriers to give the soaking wet, and many times injured riders, their last push before the line.

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