2001 Vuelta a España to take third and become the first American ever to achieve a podium finish in the Vuelta. Additionally, Guido Trenti became the first American ever to win a stage in the race. A total of 21 teams were invited to participate in the 2001 Vuelta a España. Fifteen of the competing squads were UCI Division I teams, while the other six teams were UCI Division II. Mercury–Viatel, who were previously scheduled to ride, didn't start. Each team sent a squad of nine riders, so the Vuelta began with a peloton of 189 cyclists, a total of 139 riders made it
Vuelta a Extremadura Vuelta a Extremadura The Tour of Extremadura (Spanish: Vuelta Ciclista Internacional a Extremadura or Vuelta a Extremadura) was an annual multiple stage bicycle race in Spain, visiting the main towns of the Extremadura region. Beginning as an amateur event in 1987, it became part of the professional UCI Europe Tour in 2005, and was last run in 2011. The first race took place in 1987, although it did not become a regular event until 2002. It was restricted to amateurs until the creation of the Continental Circuits UCI in 2005, when it became part of the professional circuit of the