Peter Velits in red after BMC win team time trial in Marbella

Living up to their status as world time trial champions, BMC completed the 7.4km race against the clock between Puerto Banus and Marbella in a time of 8min 10secs to take a well-earned yet muted victory.

The Tinkoff-Saxo team of Peter Sagan finished one second adrift to take second place while Australian outfit Orica-GreenEdge completed the podium a further second behind.

It was a tight battle in the end, with the top five teams separated by just 10 seconds - an unexpected turn of events after race organisers decided to neutralise the final times over safety concerns raised by the riders.

The decision to scrap times for the general classification was related to the numerous surface changes along the otherwise flat course. The transitions between asphalt, concrete, marble, brick, wooden slats, grit and even plastic slabs was deemed too dangerous and the race organisers acted accordingly.

One team to make the most of the decision was the Sky team of Tour de France winner Chris Froome, which came home 1min 11secs down in 20th position. Only two teams were slower: the Cannondale-Garmin team of Andrew Talansky (21st at 1:20) and the soon-to-be sponsor-less Team Europcar (22nd at 2:15).

But it was all smiles for BMC, Velits and their man for the general classification, Tejay Van Garderen.

"Being world champions it gives us a certain responsibility to put it down on the line and go for it. I couldn't be happier to see Peter Velits take the red jersey," said American Van Garderen, who was forced out of July's Tour de France with illness following the second rest day.

BMC directeur sportif Yvon Ledanois was ecstatic about his team's performances in quite surreal circumstances.

"We had the best team and after our victory in the Tour team time trial it was our big objective to win here," said Ledanois. "I'm not happy with the surfaces but we still went for the win. We have respect for the organisers and so for that we went full gas.

"Beginning the Vuelta with a victory and the red jersey - it's just perfect."

Welshman Geraint Thomas of Team Sky admitted that their 20th place was a "big disappointment" but said it was understandable given the circumstances.

"Everyone was looking forward to a good team time trial but when the organisers say it's not going to be for GC then it's pretty obvious that we're going to play it safe," Thomas said.

"There was gravel and sand on the corners and we were not going to risk it. I'm looking forward to the rest of the race though - it's the first time I've done the Vuelta and Froomey is super motivated too."

Dutch team LottoNL-Jumbo were one of the early teams to roll down the ramp on the stone water-break at Puerto Banus to set a target time that was eventually beaten by Orica-GreenEdge and then Tinkoff-Saxo in quick succession.

LottoNL-Jumbo took third place at eight seconds while Etixx-QuickStep completed the top five at 10 seconds. Although the finish times did not count for the GC they will go towards the team classification and all jersey standings.

Sagan led the second-place Tinkoff-Saxo team across the line in pole position to secure the first green points jersey of the race, while LottoNL-Jumbo's Martijn Keizer picked up the first blue polka dot king of the mountains jersey.

Sunday's second stage - which will not be neutralised - is an undulating 159km ride from Alhaurin de la Torre to Caminito del Rey which concludes atop the Cat.3 Alto de la Mesa, ensuring early fireworks in the battle for the red jersey.