'It could have been worse': Chris Froome content with Giro time trial result after recon crash
The four-time Tour de France winner sits 37 seconds down on Tom Dumoulin after the opening time trial of the Giro d'Italia


Chris Froome began the 2018 Giro d'Italia in Jerusalem with a crash and 37-second loss to stage one winner Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).
>>> Tom Dumoulin stamps authority on Giro d’Italia with stage one time trial victory
Team Sky's star fell while training on the 9.7-kilometre time trial course around the old city. Around four hours later, he began, looking much better but with blood still visible on his right side.
"I am glad it wasn't more serious. I am glad I was not more seriously injured," Froome said after cooling down at Sky's make-shift camp on a Jerusalem side street.
"My body's not too bad. Crashing always hurts, but it could have been worse."
The first stage ended when Dumoulin, the Dutchman who ended the 2017 Giro d'Italia in pink, finished stage one two seconds ahead of Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing).
Froome had already come through, climbing the last 300 metres to the line and finishing at 12-39. Classification riders Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) also rode faster, with Yates clocking a time 20 seconds slower than Dumoulin, 17 ahead of Froome.
"A 37-second loss? There are a lot of classification riders thereabouts where I am. Rohan Dennis and Tom were the two guys who made the most of today. It's a long way to go still. It feels good to be racing," Froome said.
Froome said he did not come to Jerusalem expecting to win the opening stage. "No, no, not at all. I am not relying on time trials to win this Giro. Tom did a great ride today so to win like he did today was impressive, so chapeaux to him. He is the world time trial champion, so I am not too surprised by him."
The ride might have put Froome in 21st place, but 20 stages remain and he appeared fluid despite the road rash down his body. The riders starting the 101st Giro only had Friday morning to test the course.
"I just lost the front wheel on a corner. I was testing a corner at race speed. A crash is always going to hurt, and it's not an ideal way to start a race with a crash. It's all part of the sport," added Froome.
"It's only superficial cuts. I was probably braking around a corner and turning at the same time, and the front wheel went."
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Best bicycle insurance, including what you need to know and how to compare
Wondering how to protect your pride and joy? Our helpful guide tells you all you need to know about bicycle insurance
By Hannah Bussey • Published
-
Five talking points from stage eleven of the Giro d’Italia 2022
The Cycling Weekly highlights package from the stage which finally saw an Italian win at the home race this year
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers insist they had a 'good day' on stage four of the Giro d'Italia, amid confusing tactics
The train returned, but Pavel Sivakov was dropped on Mount Etna
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Chris Froome: Being competitive at Tour de France would be a 'dream scenario'
The Israel-Premier Tech rider on being back at his normal level, appreciating his past, and aiming to have form late into the season
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Pavel Sivakov: 'I’m really happy to be back to my level'
Ineos Grenadiers rider in break at Tour of the Alps, caught with under 10km to go
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Bradley Wiggins: Ineos Grenadiers victory at Paris-Roubaix was 'typical Dave Brailsford'
Former Tour de France winner spent the day on a motorbike covering the race
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'You gotta love bike racing don't you, it's the best thing in the world' — Ben Turner after a dramatic first Paris-Roubaix
Ineos Grenadiers rider claims 11th after crashing, but sees teammate win race
By Adam Becket • Published
-
From finishing outside the time limit to winning Paris-Roubaix, Dylan van Baarle 'buzzing' after victory
Dutch rouleur claims first Paris-Roubaix for Ineos Grenadiers after 12 years of trying
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers head to Paris-Roubaix without one 'pure leader', but lots of options
Filippo Ganna is a favourite for the race, but says he doesn't know why
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Filippo Ganna to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Paris-Roubaix
British squad announce seven man team for Hell of the North
By Adam Becket • Published