Led by Igor Gonzalez Galdeano, the ONCE cycling team has taken the lead after the opening stage of the Tour of Spain, a team time trial in Gijon, Spain.
The ONCE squad finished the 28 kilometer ride in 32 minutes, one second, with the U.S. Postal service team, led by Spain's Jose Luis Rubiera, in second, 10 seconds back, amd the Ibanesto.com team at third, 24 seconds off the leaders.
With the team win, Gonzalez Galdeano has the overall lead in the last major road race of the season. The second stage covers 148 kilometers and includes a category one mountain pass.
The 21-stage Tour of Spain covers 3,144 kilometers and ranks with the Tour de France and the Tour of Italy as the top three events in the European cycling season. This year's race ends September 28 in Madrid.