Victorious rider Pickering's mad dash pays off in Grand Tour debut

Bahrain Victorious rider Finlay Pickering had to scramble to make it to Turin in time for the Vuelta a Espana's start, arriving without his luggage after being drafted in as a last-minute replacement.

The 22-year-old Briton received a call to replace injured teammate Damiano Caruso less than 24 hours before the opening stage began, triggering a frantic journey involving a 200-km taxi ride from Andorra to Toulouse and a flight delay.

He went on to finish Saturday's first stage in 153rd place.

"It was actually really lucky, because 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 told reporters.

"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'? Well, if I drive fast, I guess the answer's - pretty quick... The first flight was delayed, so I didn't get my suitcase.

"But at least I managed to pack two pairs of shoes (in hand luggage) so I can start today. I've got a set of boxers, a set of socks, and the team are really good at looking after me, so - no stress."

Pickering has never previously competed in a Grand Tour, but he did not seem daunted by the prospect.

"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," he added.