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Tom Dumoulin (Giant – Alpecin) has managed to take out Stage 1 of the 2016 Giro dItalia, with an individual time trial performance that only left him in front by a few hundredths of a second.
Primoz Roglic (LottoNL Jumbo) looked to have a very solid time, and it took some time to have it confirmed once Dumoulin crossed the line, but when it was it was indeed confirmed that there had been a change of leader in the race.
Andrey Amador did a good job to take third, while with bonus seconds on offer over the next couple of days Marcel Kittel could find his way into pink. He sits just 11 seconds off the lead, and the next two days are as flat as pancakes so a big opportunity awaits.
Pre-race favourite Fabian Cancellara struggled, never looking comfortable before coming in 14 seconds down.
In terms of general classification, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) landed the first blow finishing in 17th place, just 19 seconds down. Steven Kruijswick (Lotto Jumbo) finished a further three seconds down, and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) another two, leaving things very close at the top of the GC battle.
Further down, Esteban Chavez was 34th place, only half a minute back in a performance no one expected him to have as he finished eight seconds ahead of Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) and 10 seconds ahead of Mikel Landa (Sky).
Tom Dumoulin though takes the first pink jersey of the 2016 Giro dItalia on home soil with a fantastic performance.
Top 10
1. Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) – 11:03
2. Primoz Roglic (Lotto Jumbo) – 11:03
3. Andrey Amador (Movistar) – 11:09
4. Tobias Ludvigsson (Giant – Alpecin) – 11:11
5. Marcel Kittell (Giant – Alpecin) – 11:14
6. Moreno Moser (Cannondale) – 11:15
7. Bob Jungels (Etixx-QuickStep) – 11:16
8. Matthias Brandle (IAM Cycling – 11:17
9. Fabian Cancellara (Trek) – 11:17
10. Silvan Dillier (BMC) – 11:19
The first Grand Tour of the year is here! The 2016 Giro d’Italia gets underway with a 9.8-kilometre time trial around Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. Join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 1 from 9:40pm (AEST).
Over a distance of under 10km, the time trial won’t see too many route challenges. Most of the roads are fairly straight forward in the city, however there are a few 90 degree bends that could bring riders unstuck.
With the short distance, one thing not expected is large time gaps. All the general classification riders who are typically not the best time trialists like Esteban Chavez (Orica GreenEDGE) should be able to minimise losses.
As is the case in any cycling race though, a matter of seconds could change the result and riding three weeks around the brutal mountains of Italy from behind would be less than ideal. For that reason – especially when you consider the two time trials still to come – this one becomes increasingly important.
Still on the general classification, Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) must begin his charge from the get go. Every time he gets a chance to make up even a few seconds, he must take it with both hands. After leading the Vuelta a Espana last year but faltering in the final mountains, the time trial specialist must gain time from the get-go.
Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo), one of the best ever time trialists has also decided to race the Giro d’Italia this year and after a disappointing Spring Classics campaign (by his standards anyway) will be very keen to bounce back. A number of stages could suit him, but none more than the ITT.
Orica GreenEDGE are a team who have made time trialling their forte over the years, and despite a slightly different focus this time around with Chavez and sprinter Caleb Ewan on the team, they still have plenty of riders who could challenge. Canadian Svein Tuft, along with Aussies Michael Hepburn and Damien Howson all have strong palmares time trialling.
The weather could well play a part here. While the rain is supposed to hold off, wind conditions will fluctuate all afternoon according to forecasts, and this could favour riders at different points of the afternoon.
Prediction
Tom Dumoulin should be the man to get the job done here. Fabian Cancellara can never be discounted, there are a few Orica riders who will be very close and plenty of general classification guys trying not to lose time.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 1 at the 2016 Giro d’Italia from 9:40pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde