2015 La Vuelta stage 3 departure

Posted by Kathryn on August 24, 2015

I arrived so early that the truck which doubles as the sign on stage hadn't even started to set up yet! So I wandered down to the vacant beach for a little stroll.

Is it time to put up the start line? Nah.

The teams could hardly have parked any closer to the sign on podium with Etixx Quick Step, Europcar, and MTN Qhubeka so close that many of their riders just walked over.

I've never been to La Cala de Mijas before but donkeys are clearly a thing here.

Ruben Plaza was among the countless riders today who posed with the donkeys.

Jerome Cousin.

The most combative rider from stage 2, Jose Gonçalves.

Samu Sanchez took a long pause to talk to the press.

Darwin Atapuma.

It's wonderful to see African cycling growing so much!

Songezo Jim.

Ethiopian champion Tsagbu Grmay.

Daryl Impey.

Gedaminas Bagdonas signs autographs while a teammate rides by.

Nick Roche (pictured) and Dan Martin both stopped by to chat with their Irish compatriots.

I wasn't able to take as many photos as I would have liked but since this was because I got to talk with Tejay Van Garderen, Alex Howes, Joey Rosskopf, Koen De Kort, and George Bennett among others, I hope you can forgive me. It positively sends me over the moon when the riders pause for a conversation with me.

Fans reaching out for autographs.

As sign on wrapped up, the peloton made their way to the start. Below: Esteban Chaves.

Nader Bouhanni (somehow I had never noticed his shoes until now!).

Johan Vansummeren.

The back of the peloton.

I heard the little girl in front of me call out, “Papi, papi!” as Leonardo Duque rode by, scanning the crowd. He pulled a U turn and kissed his family before going off to work.