Team Visma stopped the clock in 21:47.87 to beat Netcompany INEOS by 7.33 seconds, as the Dane became the first rider from Visma to cross the line at the Olympic stadium in the Catalan capital.
Tadej Pogacar went solo on the final climb for UAE Team Emirates – XRG, to finish in third spot in 21:59.15, 11.28 seconds after Visma. Lidl-Trek came in fourth at 15.27 seconds, while Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe completed the top five at 18.15 seconds after Remco Evenepoel completed their final section.
After Visma clocked in third at the first checkpoint, Carrer de Llull, just 1.05 seconds behind INEOS, they had moved ahead by Sagrada Familia, arriving in 11:01.82 to go 1.96 seconds faster than INEOS and 1.89 seconds quicker than Lidl-Trek.
They then increased the gap by Passeig de Santa Madrona, where they reached the third checkpoint in 16:57.20, 6.09 seconds quicker than INEOS, and the question was then if they could survive the Montjuic finale, where several teams struggled to keep up the pace earlier in the afternoon.
Vingegaard remained with Matteo Jorgenson and Davide Piganzoli after the first of the final climbs, before the Dane went on his own in the last few hundred metres, crossing the line in 21:47.87, taking 7.33 seconds out of INEOS to put himself into the first yellow jersey of the race.
"It´s the perfect start. The Tour is still very lomng but it’s a perfect start. My teammates did an amazing job. They were so strong. Honestly, I didn’t have to do much; they rode me all the way to the finish. The win and the yellow jersey are great for me personally after a couple of tough years," said the triumphant Dane in the winner's interview.
The Dane then emphasized that he didn't win the stage alone as the victory belonged to the entire team.
"It’s the world’s biggest cycling race, so it’s a fantastic victory for us. Especially in a team time trial, where seven teammates sacrifice themselves for me. It’s not just me wearing the yellow jersey after today; they won the stage too, and we really need to savor this. I can only thank my teammates for this."
The second stage takes place tomorrow, featuring a hilly 168.5-kilometer route from Tarragona to Barcelona.