By the power of the TRIDENT!!!! The traditional coast-to-coast, pre-Giro tune up is upon us. Seven arduous stages await the riders before one can claim the second best trophy in all of cycling. First obstacle? The team-time trial.

Stage 1: Lido di Camaiore, TTT, 22.7km

BMC lived up to their hashtag #dontcrackunderpressure, with an emphatic win on the opening stage.  On a flat out and back course perfect for power teams, the red and black line purred at an average speed of  58kph to finish 17secs ahead of World Champions Quick-Step Floors. Surprising few people, except some commentators, FDJ continued their TT prowess and brought home a third place at +22secs – beating Movistar by a smidge of second. First BMC rider over the line was Damiano Caruso who starts tomorrow’s stage in the blue leader’s jersey.

Highlights…

Nightmare for Team Sky…

We watched in horror as Gianni Moscon hit the deck after his front wheel collapsed under him. The Italian completed the course bearing a huge amount of road rash. That wasn’t the end of the team’s woes as Mikel Landa and Diego Rosa also suffered equipment problems, forcing the team to slow down to allow them to bring 5 riders over the finish line. They eventually finished 18th on the day conceding 1min 42secs, with Geraint Thomas’ podium ambition in tatters. More details in their team report.

A dream come true….

Head on Boonen…

Full report at Cycling News.

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Header image: BMC rolling on the TTT at Tirreno Adriatico ©Tim De Waele/Corbis via Getty Images