Sky could give Froome an early advantage

Stage one: Nimes, 13.7km (Team time-trial)
Eurosport 1, 4.30pm Saturday

The Vuelta a Espana has decamped to France for its customary opening team time-trial this year but the usual suspects still head the market.

BMC and Quick-Step Floors have won every world team time-trial crown since it was reintroduced in 2012, but BMC's win three years later is the only time either has won the opening stage of the Vuelta since 2010.

There have been two team time-trials on this year's UCI World Tour with BMC triumphant on both occasions. The American team have a number of powerful engines in their ranks but the circuit around Nimes is a technical one and that could count against them.

At the prices the best bet could be to back Team Sky to replicate their victory a year ago.

Sky were imperious in the opening individual TT at this year's Tour de France with four riders in the top eight finishers and are fair value at 7-1 with Betway to give leader Chris Froome a small advantage.

Recommendation
Team Sky to win stage one
1pt 7-1 Betway