Denis Menchov (Rabobank) upset prologue specialists Rik Verbugghe (Quick Step) and Brad McGee (FDJeux) to win the 7km opening stage of the 60th Vuelta a España.

Menchov, 27, raced Saturday on the short, but challenging course like he wanted to in July, when a sore throat derailed his chances for a strong Tour de France.

“The Tour was frustrating because I sacrificed the entire season to be ready, then something beyond my control took me out of the race,” Menchov said moments after nipping Verbrugghe by one second.FullResults

Mechov’s victory helped erase the Tour disappointment, when he finished a distant 85th. The Russian made a high-profile transfer from Illes Balears to Rabobank to lead the Dutch team in the 2005 Tour, but faltered when bronchitis ended any hope of being a threat.

“I started to recover the final week of the Tour, then I went to Russia for one week to forget about cycling,” said Menchov, who won in 9 minute, 45 seconds, only one of six riders under 10 minutes on the tricky course.

“I returned to Spain and prepared 100 percent for the Vuelta,” Menchov continued. “It’s too early to talk about winning this race. We’ll take it day by day and see how things stand in a week.”Nonetheless, Menchov said he was surprised by his performance in the Vuelta opener."I didn't expect this win," he said. "I was only trying to lose as little time as possible!"

The 60th Vuelta started on a bright summer day in historic Granada with temperatures nudging into the low 90s. The technical 7km course featured a punchy Cat. 3 climb along the ramparts of the historic Alhambra palace at 2.3km before a fast descent and a long 3km flat run back to the finish line.

Riders complained about uneven asphalt and Joseba Beloki (Liberty Seguros) was among a handful of riders who crashed. Beloki finished third-from-last, coming through at 1:44 back with his shoulder and hip scraped along with a bruised ego.

Verbrugghe set the early fast time with 9:46 and it looked like the Belgian prologue specialist would hold on for the win. Discovery Channel’s Tom Danielson posted an early second-fastest time just 11 seconds slower that stuck for fifth on the day.

Denied: Verbrugghe was oh-so-close

Photo: Graham Watson

Pre-race favorites struggled, with Santiago Botero (Phonak) 18 seconds off the pace in ninth and Aitor González (Euskaltel) 26 seconds slower at 20th. Phonak’s Floyd Landis, perhaps still aching from his training crash Thursday, came through 46th at 36 seconds slower.

Carlos Sastre (CSC) was the top Spanish rider at fourth at seven seconds back while defending champion Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) rode well to finish seventh at 15 seconds slower.

“To finish in the top 10 against the specialists gives me motivation for this Vuelta,” said Heras, who’s trying to become the first rider to win the Vuelta four times. “Today doesn’t say much about who is going to win or lose this Vuelta, but I had good sensations in the legs, and that’s a good start.”

Much like Menchov, Heras wants a strong Vuelta to erase the disappointment of the Tour de France. The Vuelta gives what the Tour takes away, at least these two are hoping so.Today'sLive ReportResults - Granada-Granada Prologue time trial
1. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, 7km in 9:45
2. Rik Verbrugghe (B), Quickstep, at 0:01
3. Bradley Mcgee (Aus), Francaise des Jeux, at 0:03
4. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 0:07
5. Tom Danielson (USA), Discovery Channel , at 0:12
6. Ruben Plaza (Sp), ECV, at 0:13
7. Roberto Heras (Sp), Liberty Seguros, at 0:15
8. David Bernabeu (Sp), ECV, at 0:15
9. Santiago Botero (Col), Phonak, at 0:18
10. Gilberto Simoni (I), Lampre, at 0:20
FullResults