Giro d’Italia, Ganna’s pink jersey after the time trial

The law of the strongest, the law of the world champion. Filippo Ganna is the first pink jersey of the 103rd edition of the Giro d’Italia, which he wears after dominating the first stage, the 15.1 km time trial from Monreale to Palermo. A magical moment for the 24-year-old Verbanian from Ineos Granaderos, world champion in Imola a little over a week ago, who at the finish line of Via della Libertà stopped the clock at 15’24 “, at an average of 58.8 km / h. 22 “behind him. Joao Almeida from Portugal (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and Mikkel Bjerg from Denmark (United Arab Emirates). The last blue to wear the symbol of primacy after the first stage was Marco Pinotti in 2011, finishing the victorious team time trial of the HTC-Highroad. It was the Giro that celebrated the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy.

Autumn

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Shortly after the interval at the ninth kilometer, a serious accident for Colombian Miguel Ángel López, who skidded and ended up against the barriers. For the cyclist from Astana, pick up and transfer by ambulance to the Palermo hospital. At the moment there is no further information on her clinical status.

so many clothes

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In the heat, an excited Filippo Ganna said: “I was one of the big favorites, but I tried to stay calm. Today the wind was strong, but I managed to defeat it. A beautiful result, we hope it bodes well for the next twenty “. Wearing the pink jersey is exciting, there are many things, especially in the first Giro d’Italia. I want to say goodbye to my region, which yesterday had problems with the weather. I am sure that he will be able to recover, as always ”.

Road

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The fraction is not long, but the elevation is treacherous. Especially because of the variable wind, which convinced the different teams to reconsider the starting times of the favorites. Immediately after the start, you go up towards the Cathedral of Monreale, the first GPM of the Corsa Rosa: 1100 meters, average difference of 5.6% and maximum of 18%, which assign the blue jersey of best climber to the rider with the partial faster. Then descent towards the center of Palermo, where it also reaches 100 km / h, at the end of which the time measurement is positioned (km 9.4). Second part with wide curves and long straights. The last one measures 2,700 meters and runs along via della Libertà, where the finish line is.

The plot

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The first to hit the road is English stuntman Alex Dowsett, winner of the eighth stage of the 2013 Giro, the Gabicce Mare time trial to Saltara, famous for the launch of Bradley Wiggins’ bike and Vincenzo Nibali’s pink jersey. His test is for oblivion, conditioned by mechanical problems in the second part of the trip. Moments later, another twist: the Belgian Campenaerts, record holder of the hour and one of the great favorites, falls downhill, compromising any ambition of success. Really good, however, the performance of the young Portuguese Joao Almeida, who with 15’46 “remains in the lead for a long time. The leadership lasts until the arrival of Ganna, who collapses his time with a space of 15’22”. The Australian Rohan Dennis and the Dutch Jos van Emden disappoint.

big me

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Among the men in the classification a great day for Geraint Thomas, fourth overall, who distanced the British Simon Yates, author of a good time trial by 26 “. At 57” against the Russian Vlasov, at 1’06 “Vincenzo Nibali, at 1’24 “Fuglsang and 1’21” Kruijswijk. Even further Rafal Majka, last of 176 riders at the Monreale start, has accumulated a delay of 1’37 “from the 2018 Tour de France winner. Blue jersey best climber for the German Rick Zabel, son of art.

The fraction of tomorrow

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The second stage is 149 kilometers long, from Alcamo to Agrigento. First part wavy, suitable for those who have the courage to try to escape. Second fastest, finishing 4 km from the finish line, in the Valley of the Temples, at the foot of the city. The last kilometers are all uphill, at an average of 5% with a short section around 9%, when there are 2,500 meters to go to the finish line. Various favorites. Among these, the three-time world champion Peter Sagan, in his first participation in the Corsa Rosa, and looking for victories and points for the cyclamen jersey.