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
Points classification in the Vuelta a España stage and the rider with the most points wears the jersey. This system unlike the Tour de France & the Giro d'Italia, gives equal amount of points in the mountains compared to the flats, this paired with the high number of summit finishes at the Vuelta means there’s a correlation between the overall classification and the points jersey. A good example from 2012 when sprinter John Degenkolb won five stages but only finished fourth in the points competition with Alejandro Valverde well ahead. Points classification in the Vuelta a España The points classification in the Vuelta a España is a