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British cyclist Finlay Pickering took a 200km taxi ride and arrived without his luggage following a flight delay to accept a late call-up for his first Vuelta a Espana.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 22-year-old was called upon to replace injured Bahrain Victorious team-mate Damiano Caruso less than 24 hours before the start of Saturday’s opening stage.<\/p>\n
Pickering, only able to take the call after being late to head out on a training ride, travelled in a taxi from Andorra to Toulouse before flying to Turin.<\/p>\n
A delay meant he arrived at the race with only the contents of his hand luggage – although fortunately that included his shoes.<\/p>\n
It was far from ideal preparation for the Yorkshireman’s first stage at a Grand Tour race, but he managed to finish stage one in 153rd place.<\/p>\n
“It was actually really lucky. I had a problem with a pair of training wheels and they were in a bike shop so I was a bit late going out training,” Pickering explained.<\/p>\n
“I was on the way to pick them up when I got a call from management saying: How quickly can I be in an airport?<\/p>\n
“The first flight was delayed, so I didn’t get my suitcase. But at least I managed to pack two pairs of shoes [in my hand luggage] so I can start. <\/p>\n
“I’ve got a set of boxers, a set of socks, and the team are really good at looking after me, so no stress.”<\/p>\n
He added, speaking before starting the Vuelta: “I’m pretty ready. I’m a bike rider and this is a bike race, after all – even if it’s a pretty big one.”<\/p>\n
Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen won the first red jersey of this year’s Vuelta a Espana after taking victory on the opening stage<\/a> in a sprint finish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n