Just like in 1961 and 2011, the Corsa Rosa’s Grande Partenza was hosted by Torino, which scheduled an 8.6km individual time trial. The course, which went mostly along the Po river, was fast, flat, and had a few technical sections that didn’t create any significant gaps between the general classification contenders.
Rémi Cavagna was one of the riders to watch, and the French ITT Champion didn’t disappoint, going into third provisional at the finish, before eventually concluding the stage in fifth: “It’s a mixed feeling. After my win in Romandie I was really motivated, but the parcours didn’t suit me 100%, as it was too short.
With no uphill section, the route of this inaugural stage included a few technical curves and therefore had everything to favor the specialists.
One after the other, the riders left the starting ramp near the Royal Palace in Turin, to then come along the Po on its left bank, and reach the finish on large and straight roads.
With an effort of 8 minutes 48, time trial world champion Filippo Ganna (INEOS) completed the route with the best time, displaying an average speed of 58 km/h. He will therefore wear the first pink jersey of this 104th Giro.
