Team Sky 'very happy' with Tirreno-Adriatico team time trial result as they look ahead to mountains
British WorldTour team places third behind BMC Racing and Mitchelton-Scott in Tirreno-Adriatco opener
Team Sky placed third in the opening team time trial of the 2018 edition of Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy on Wednesday, a result that the squad says they are 'very happy' with.
The British WorldTour outfit was the second squad to start out on the flat 21.5-kilometre test against the clock in Lido Di Camaiore. This put them at something of a disadvantage as they were unaware of how other teams would tackle the twisting route.
Nevertheless, the squad finished in third spot, nine seconds behind winners – and former TTT world champions – BMC Racing, with Mitchelton-Scott in second place at four seconds.
>>> BMC Racing win Tirreno-Adriatico team time trial to put Damiano Caruso in lead
“I’m very happy, the guys were very, very fast today," said Sky sport director Matteo Tosatto. "When you start as the second team sometimes the weather conditions can change ahead of the final team.
“The guys were very strong, very happy and it was a good start to Tirreno-Adriatico."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeTPblz5-lc
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Geraint Thomas crossed the line first as Sky finished, perhaps hopeful that if the squad won he would take the early race lead. Ultimately, the leader's jersey went to BMC's Damiano Caruso – but Thomas sits in ninth place overall, with team-mate Chris Froome in 12th spot.
“Today G [Thomas] and Chris [Froome] put in good performances, stages three and four are very important and they look as though they are in good form,” said Tosatto.
Sky managed to finish with six riders in its leading group in the TT, whereas BMC and Mitchelton-Scott had just four. Crucially, though, Mitchelton-Scott's four included GC hope Adam Yates, who is now in seventh place overall, and the highest-placed of the pre-race favourites.
>>> Tirreno-Adriatico 2018: Latest news, reports and race info
Other GC contenders did not fare so well, with Fabio Aru (UAE Team Emirates), Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) and Mikel Landa (Movistar) losing 45, 49 and 50 seconds to BMC respectively.
The race continues on Thursday with stage two, a largely flat stage that is widely expected to end in a bunch sprint. Then it is on to Friday's long, lumpy stage with an uphill finish to Trevi and Saturday's equally hilly excursion on stage four with a long climb to the line in Sarnano Sassotetto.
Tirreno-Adriatico then concludes on Tuesday, March 13, with a decisive 10km individual time trial in San Benedetto Del Tronto.
Thank you for reading 20 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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
We rode and reviewed the Ouray, Parlee Cycles' first new bike model since facing bankruptcy
The storied American brand continues with a Portugal-made carbon steed that goes zoom but doesn’t fit like a race bike
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published