Taylor Phinney lived a dream and rode into the Giro d'Italia's pink jersey today. The American of BMC Racing ripped around the 8.7-kilometre course in Herning to post a time of 10-26 minutes.
"It has been a few months I've been thinking of this jersey, this moment. From October of last year, we fixed the programme to come here," 21-year-old Phinney said moments after taking the win. "For me it's a dream to have this jersey."
Geraint Thomas (Sky) held the best time at 10-35 minutes, but saw Phinney come over the line nine seconds faster. In the previous days, he rode the course more than any other cyclist it seemed. After the press conference on Thursday, he went back out on his bike at 7:30 in the evening to prepare.
"I live in Tuscany, I speak Italian, I went to middle school in Italy, I've been surrounded by the pink jersey since I was little," he said in the press conference. "I've had it as the screen saver on my computer and on my phone for the last few months. I have like a school-boy crush on the jersey."
Phinney as a child lived with his parents in Italy while they organised on bike tours in Veneto. His dad, Davis is a former pro and won two stages of the Tour de France. His mom is Connie Carpenter, a former speed skater and cyclist
He now lives with several other Americans in Tuscany. He recently moved from Lucca to Quarrata, where Great Britain's academy used to be based. His focus, though, was on the opening stage of his second Grand Tour, 1800 kilometres away in Denmark.
"I've been nervous for a couple of weeks, but as the race got closer, I started to get less nervous. I slept in until 9:30 this morning and hung out all morning," he continued at the finish line.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"We pre-rode the course 10 times over the last couple of days, but it was important to get on the course today before the race because the way they set up the barriers was a little bit different. It's a good course for me and I just went out there and gave everything I've got. There was only one corner that I felt like I could have done a little better."
Phinney rode with a spoked front wheel instead of the carbon tri-spoke Thomas used. Both went off under clear skies, but fought the wind and cold.
Tomorrow will be cold again and wind should sweep off the coast from the west and north. Local, Bjarne Riis said it won't be hard, but it's bound to blow riders across the road.
"We will see, I hope to keep it even tomorrow!" Phinney said of the jersey. "The stage in Verona is very important. I'll take this jersey day by day."
Taylor Phinney with mum, Connie
Giro d'Italia 2012: Related links
Stage one: Phinney wins opening TT
Giro d'Italia 2012: Coverage index
Giro d'Italia 2012: Latest news
Cavendish faces first Grand Tour as World Champ and father
Frank Schleck's last minute Giro adventure
Swift out of Giro after training crash
Giro d'Italia 2012: Who will win?
Sky to battle for Giro's team time trial
Hesjedal aims for Giro win
Giro d'Italia 2012: Start list
Cavendish, Thomas, Kennaugh, Swift and Stannard for Giro
Giro d'Italia 2012: Jerseys unveiled
Giro d'Italia organiser announces wildcard teams for 2012
Giro d'Italia 2012 route revealed
Giro d'Italia 2012: Live coverage
Giro d'Italia 2012 live text coverage schedule
Giro d'Italia 2012: Teams and riders
Giro d'Italia 2012 start list
Giro d'Italia 2012: TV guide
Giro d'Italia 2012: British Eurosport TV schedule
Related links
Giro d'Italia 2012: The Big Preview
Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia section
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
A great value bike for gravel and fire roads, but capable of trails: Cannondale Topstone 1 Alloy reviewed
21 things you didn't know about Peter Sagan
