TTT victory for BMC in Tirreno-Adriatico opener

BMC secured a second consecutive TTT victory on the 22.7km out and back course ahead of Quick-Step Floors and FDJ.

Source: Getty

BMC Racing won the 22.7km stage from Lido di Camaiore to Lido di Camaiore in 23 minutes 21 seconds with Damiano Caruso taking the overall lead, ahead of Quick-Step Floors, who finished 16 seconds behind. Movistar finished third at 20 seconds.

"I feel really good, really excited," Caruso said. "This is a dream come true.

"The team was incredible today. Rohan Dennis and Stefan Küng made a huge difference, and we were setting a really, really fast pace.

"In the end, it was a surprise for us to finish 17 seconds ahead and faster than last year so, it is incredible. Now I will enjoy wearing this jersey, and from tomorrow we will see what happens."

Stage 2 takes the peloton 229km from Camaiore to Pomarance and with an uphill kick at the end will suit a punchy finisher.

The BMC team is always well drilled. Source: Supplied

TECHNICAL DATA

Manuel Quinziato – BMC (1st)

Time: 23:20 (Quinziato’s Time: 24:19)

Speed: 58.4km/h (Quinziato until dropped: 57.7km/h Max: 64.4km/h)

Power: 378W (Max: 989W)

Quinziato drops back with 2.5KM to go, having helped to set up his team for the winning time of 23:20 and Damiano Caruso in the Leader’s jersey.

First Half: 56.1km/h – 381W – 12:07 Second Half: 60.7km/h – 11:13

Bob Jungels - QUICK-STEP FLOORS (2nd)

Time: 23:37

Speed: 57.3km/h (Max: 61.9km/h)

Power: 421W (Max: 1090W)

Quick-Step sets the new benchmark time at this point with 23:37min and 57.3km/h. Jungels rides with 421W average power for the whole stage. It was a very steady effort by Jungels and his team but they are still able to accelerate to over 58.3km/h for the second leg.

First Half: 56.3km/h – 420W Second Half: 58.3km/h – 422W

Andrey Amador – MOVISTAR TEAM (3rd)

Time: 23:42

Speed: 56.8km/h (Max: 65.1km/h)

Power: 394W (Max: 1013W)

Impressive average speed by Movistar, nearly 57.0km/h for 23:42min. Nairo Quintana is in a good position going into the mountain stages.

First Half: 56.8km/h – 389W Second Half: 56.9km/h – 399W