2021 season, Giro d'Italia, Grand Tours

Giro d’Italia 2021: Stage 1 – Ganna goes great guns and purrs into pink

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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.

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!

Ganna stats

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?

When Pippo was a bespectacled pup

I loved this from Edoardo Affini when Ganna blistered over the line.

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.

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.

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.

Re del Ripartenza. GLORIOUS from La Gazzetta

This is so cute

Our Aussie Couch Peloton are with us. [I’m always so happy when I see #CouchPeloton are in my timeline – ed]

Can’t stop laughing over this, utterly brilliant.

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

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

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