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Filippo Ganna comfortably takes opening stage time trial at Tirreno Adriatico

Tirreno Adriatico kicked off its 2023 edition with an individual time trial in wet conditions. Only 11.2km of racing on the opening day saw Filippo Ganna take the stage by 28 seconds from Bora Hansgrohe’s Lennard Kämna. Ganna’s Ineos Grenadiers teammate Magnus Sheffield was 3rd, 31 seconds behind the Italian. In tough conditions, with torrential rain and hail stones leaving the ground slippery, Ganna used his late start to push Lennard Kämna out of the hotseat and into 2nd place. Magnus Sheffield had previously spent a long time waiting before the German displaced him initially.

With Ganna 10 seconds up at the checkpoint, Kämna could see that his time was going to be beaten, congratulating the Italian as he finished. Ganna’s ride saw him average 55.3kph, all the more impressive as the 2nd half proved to be tough with the wind. As his rivals slowed down in the latter stages of the route, Ganna was able to continue to maintain his speed, which proved crucial. Other key pre-race favourites like Roglic finished 49 seconds down, Hindley and O’Connor were 51″ and 52″ behind today’s winner. Tao Geoghegan Hart matched Ben O’Connor’s team and is near the back end of the top-20.

The likes of UAE Team Emirates’ Brandon McNulty and Joao Almedia can be pleased with their rides, finishing 34″ and 41″ behind. The biggest GC leader losses of the day probably include Guillaume Martin at 2’09” and Adam yates at 1’18”.

“We did an amazing performance today. I’m really happy for me and the team. It started with Tom [Pidcock] and we continue in good shape together. I think it’s good for the morale for Tirreno. We’ll see tomorrow with the weather, the stages coming and we’ll enjoy the race.

I was just thinking about riding as fast as possible. Two days ago I didn’t know what my performance level today would be. But I wanted to do my maximum. It’s really really nice, after many podiums, getting the victory is important for me. I think for the morale and for the Classics it can be a special motivation in my head.

[Magnus] did an amazing performance. He’s in great shape and for sure we have one of the best teams here to do something good.”

Filippo Ganna

2023 Tirreno Adriatico Stage 1 result

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