In the second instalment of our riders’ diaries from the Vuelta a España we hear from James Knox of Deceuninck-Quick-Step, Pavel Sivakov of Ineos Grenadiers and Joan Bou of Euskaltel-Euskadi.

Bou is from Valencia and when the Vuelta reached some of his local roads at the end of the first week he shone, figuring in a couple of breakaways, including the strong break on stage six, from which Magnus Cort held on to win.

Knox has been part of a team that’s won two stages with Fabio Jakobsen, whose return has given the Vuelta one of its feel good stories. On stage seven Knox also achieved his highest average heart rate for an hour – 186 beats per minute. 

And Sivakov went close to the win on stage seven, finishing third behind Michael Storer, who incurred the wrath of El Siv by apparently attacking when Sivakov dropped his chain.

Kilometre 0 by The Cycling Podcast is supported by Supersapiens: energy management for committed athletes and coaches. See Supersapiens.com