Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) scorched through the Turin streets, in full, time-trial beast mode, to claim the opening maglia rosa for the second year in a row. The Italian sweetheart had to risk it all and ride the course by the seat of his pants to snatch victory from a formidable Jumbo-Visma pairing of Eduardo Affino and Tobias Foss, who finished second and third respectively. Deceuninck Quickstep were no slouches either with Joao Alemeida and Remi Cavagna rounding out the top five, and the man everyone wanted to see, Remco Evenepoel in seventh!
The TT World Champion hasn’t had the best run into the Giro d’Italia. Off his usually effortless purring pace at both Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of Romandie, so much so that doubts arose if he could be victorious on a course built to suit his pace, power and technical abilities.
Rainbow bands 🔥
New blu Bolide 🔥
TT victory 🔥Bring on that pink jersey @GannaFilippo! #Giro pic.twitter.com/xJiJBEmcvw
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) May 8, 2021
All that was put to rest as soon as the new blue Bolide glided smoothly off the start ramp. There were no doubts and absolutely no fear as Ganna powered into and out of corners. Talk about active riding, he is one of those time-trial specialists where you can see every pedal stroke and muscle working in perfect powerful harmony – beast is le mot juste!
🎸 Simply the best 🌈
🇮🇹 @GannaFilippo #Giro pic.twitter.com/wRdfcr9G5X— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 8, 2021
Ganna stats
There were some exceptional performances out there today but this was next level. What a bike rider 🙇🏻♂️
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🇮🇹 #Giro #Giro104 #Giro2021 pic.twitter.com/FVbr1GgVrz— Velon CC (@VelonCC) May 8, 2021
When you're ripping up a TT at the Giro and still find time to salute your fans. @INEOSGrenadiers's @GannaFilippo is the man 👆
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🇮🇹 #Giro #Giro104 #Giro2021 pic.twitter.com/WzOd9i5Dwz— Velon CC (@VelonCC) May 8, 2021
*Breaking News* Filippo Ganna’s chain has issued a declaration of surrender. And has requested asylum on someone’s else’s bike.
— Jonathan Vaughters (@Vaughters) May 8, 2021
What goes through a rider’s mind during 8.6km of all-out effort? Well for Pippo, no radio, full gas and the cheers of the tifosi. How wonderful.
It’s been a lot of time that I wasn’t in the hot seat but I’m here and so I’m really happy. I started with a small radio but I didn’t hear anything, so I told myself to go full gas and listen to the people along the road. If they cheered for me, then I knew I was going fast. That’s how I got this amazing victory.
Love this photo, But I will not be calling him The Gannadier!!! Who thinks of these nicknames?
The Gannadier goes fastest!!!!!!
What a committed TT from @GannaFilippo. He clocks a 8'47" to go quickest by 10 seconds.
The Italian moves onto the #Giro hot seat 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/SXXEwHAvxE
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) May 8, 2021
When Pippo was a bespectacled pup
How it started | How it's going pic.twitter.com/5Zwe4f6hYz
— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) May 8, 2021
I loved this from Edoardo Affini when Ganna blistered over the line.
Chapeau Ganna pic.twitter.com/HUpvZ2k3ac
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) May 8, 2021
Where’s the party bus?
Obviously, there will be pink confetti everywhere on the Ineos team bus. They not only claim all the jerseys awarded, but their GC headliner Egan Bernal finished only 39 seconds behind his teammate, just a second slower than Simon Yates (BikeExchange). Astana’s leading light Aleksandr Vlasov put in a strong ride to finish 11th at +24secs. The Jumbo Bees are sure to be upbeat with two on the podium and George Bennett sitting comfortably with the GC guys. A sixth place for Jos van Emden secured them the team prize.
Jumbo Visma assembling at the top #couchpeloton pic.twitter.com/rWCj9R9gdw
— 🎾 Angelic Scootus 😇 🚵♂️ (@evilscootus) May 8, 2021
However, the undoubted party bus tonight has to be the Quicksteppers. Joao Almeida, the rider who never gave up at last year’s Giro, looks to be in the form to thrill us again. While Remco Evenepoel, in his first race since that devastating crash at Lombardia last year, gave us a little more clarity on where his form is, it’s a long way to go, but it is good to see him back on the bike.
Two days to go until the @giroditalia, and @JooAlmeida98 – fourth last year – and Grand Tour debutant @EvenepoelRemco can't wait to get things started: https://t.co/bPBnjgqVv6
Photo: @BeelWout pic.twitter.com/flk5SUdqrF— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) May 6, 2021
Goosebumps, tears, excitement, just so happy to be here racing again! Giro d’Italia here I come 🤍🇮🇹🐺 #happykid #giro #TheWolfpack pic.twitter.com/FGiMxxk5Fa
— Remco Evenepoel (@EvenepoelRemco) May 8, 2021
Nine months after his previous outing in the Deceuninck – Quick-Step jersey, @EvenepoelRemco is back in action, ready to pin on a number at one of the most beautiful races in the world – the @giroditalia.https://t.co/Zlh3F5eAgZ
— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) May 8, 2021
This Giro will decide whether Remco is a destroyer of worlds or a just a dude from Belgium.
— nyvelocity (@nyvelocity) May 7, 2021
Amore Infinito
There is nothing quite like that thrill of the first (and often best) Grand Tour of the year is there? And it’s all made that much more buzzing with the tifosi who love it. Some glorious madness that caught my eye today.
"The Giro starts today" #Giro104 pic.twitter.com/0lqtWivPPD
— Cycling Memes (@Cycling_Memes1) May 8, 2021
Re del Ripartenza. GLORIOUS from La Gazzetta
…includes this montage inside with the "Re" (kings) of the Giro (today's stage in Turin was long home to the Italian royal family). The race is also presented as the "ripartenza", the restart after the pandemic as restrictions are lifting and red zones vanish from the map. pic.twitter.com/1RqdaFuRoY
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) May 8, 2021
This is so cute
I tre moschettieri !
The wait for the @giroditalia is almost over 👊#Giro #Giro104 pic.twitter.com/RdKAMVrWnA— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) May 7, 2021
Our Aussie Couch Peloton are with us. [I’m always so happy when I see #CouchPeloton are in my timeline – ed]
Cookies are now ready to go for tonight. So excited to catch up with the #CouchPeloton for the first stage of the Giro d’Italia! Thanks again SBS team for regaining TV coverage for us! #sbsgiro #couchpeloton pic.twitter.com/tmQQKs0raW
— Lucia (@lfsleigh) May 8, 2021
Can’t stop laughing over this, utterly brilliant.
#Giro HOT MESS MAP 2021 Edition
Your non-pro guide to the #Giro104!
Stage-by-stage details, tips, & highly accurate fresh facts. #GTHotMessMaps#Giro2021 #CouchPeloton pic.twitter.com/ltlSWwt8j5— Belinda (@reallyspoketome) May 7, 2021
Final Word
I cannot tell you how excited this makes me – GO WANTY – you breakaway kings !!!!
Results
Stage 1 Top 5
1 Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) 8:47
2 Eduardo Affini (Jumbo-Visma) +0:10
3 Tobias Foss (Jumbo-Visma) +0:13
4 Joao Almeida (Deceuninck Quick Step) +0.17
5 Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck Quick Step) +0.17
GC Top 10
1 Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) 8:47
2 Eduardo Affini (Jumbo-Visma) +0:10
3 Tobias Foss (Jumbo-Visma) +0:13
4 Joao Almeida (Deceuninck Quick Step) +0.17
5 Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck Quick Step) +0.18
6 Jos van Emden (Jumbo Visma) +0:18
7 Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck Quick Step) +19
8 Maximilian Walscheid (Qhubeka Assos) +19
9 Matthias Brandle (Israel Start-up Nation) +22
10 Gianni Moscon (INEOS Grenadiers) +23
All the jerseys
The 4 podiums of Filippo Ganna 🤩
Il ne va pas avoir un peu chaud demain avec tous ces maillots ?
Isn't he going to get a little hot tomorrow with all these jerseys?#Giro #Giro104 #Giro2021 #giroditalia #LesRP pic.twitter.com/gUjLqNCTc0— Miroir du Cyclisme (@Miroir2Cyclisme) May 8, 2021
Leader’s jersey Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers)
Points jersey Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers)
King of the Mountains Not awarded
Best Young Rider Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers)
For full race reviews, go to cyclingnews.
Official race website: Giro d’Italia
Header Image:©GETTY/AFP/ Marco Bertorello