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
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2016 Giro d'Italia this evening as Tom Dumoulin took Stage 1. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Brendon Vella will be back from 10:15pm (AEST) this evening for live coverage of Stage 2 so be sure to join him then. Until next time, Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
RESULTS 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
Scott Pryde
Expert
So then, on home soil and it is Tom Dumoulin moving into the pink jersey!
Scott Pryde
Expert
The time of Dumoulin passes, and Hepburn just misses the top 10. Fairly solid performance from the Queenslander. Tom Dumoulin Wins Stage 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Michael Hepburn still on course, but Dumoulin looks pretty comfortable in the hot seat.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cancellara into the final straight and he gets out of the saddle heading down the final straight, but jeez he didn't look comfortable. Stops the clock in eighth place - 14 seconds off the pace.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Diego Ulissi stops the clock in 29th place. 2 riders left on course.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cacellara has under 2 minutes to get to the line now. Hepburn the only rider behind him and not getting many updates on him at this stage.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stefan Kung the next man to come up to the finish after having a crash on route. If you consider what the crash would have cost him in terms of time then this would have been a very solid ride. He got back up and went hard after the crash, but will slip outside the top 20.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nibali just misses the top 10 but that is a great start to his Giro. 19 seconds off the pace, into 15th place.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cancellara 8 seconds down at the mid way point. Hard to see him catching up. What can Hepburn do?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stefan Kung (BMC) has gone down and had to get a bike change. There goes any hopes of anything good today for him, which is a shame considering he was only 1 seconds down on Dumoulin at the intermediate check.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yep have been using it - just got sidetracked by the action on the TV.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kruijswijk has overtaken Cunego here and this is going to be a pretty strong time. Not better than Dumoulin and in fact he loses his way up the final straight just slipping outside the top 10.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Was infront of Jungels who they stuck the TV coverage on. SBS Tour Tracker is a must!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cancellara doesn't look comfortable at all here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hmm, looks like the broadcaster missed Chavez finishing then. 30 seconds isn't a terrible result though to Dumoulin.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Every single rider on the road now - Hepburn the last to start.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Provisional Top 5 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
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fabian Cancellara is underway.