2019 Tirreno – Adriatico: Stage 1 Results

Mitchelton – Scott has won the first stage of the 2019 Tirreno-Adriatico, a 21.5km Team Time Trial, ahead of Team Jumbo – Visma and Team Sunweb, recording an average speed of 57.546kph. The Australian rider Michael Hepburn is the first leader of the GC and was awarded the Maglia Azzurra.

The stage got underway in rainy conditions, making the relatively straightforward 21.5km course more technical, with a slippery road surface to contend for the teams setting off early.

As the last team off the start ramp, Mitchelton-SCOTT had to deal with mixed conditions with the sun having dried some sections of the course, while others remained wet.

It was a strong start with Australian time trial champion Luke Durbridge putting in some big turns on the front as the squad passed the time check just two seconds down on the fastest time set by Team Jumbo-Visma.

There were some nervous faces in the hot seat as it became obvious that Mitchelton-SCOTT were on a fast one with five riders still taking their turns on the front.

Disaster almost struck heading onto the finish straight when a member of the public strayed onto the course and the team had to take avoiding action, narrowly missing the woman and her dog.

With a short run to the line the squad regrouped and powered over the line to take the day by seven seconds and start the week of racing in perfect fashion.

Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the first Maglia Azzurra winner, Michael Hepburn, said: “I didn’t expect to be in this position when I woke up this morning. We obviously had a great squad here for the opening stage. We were not targeting just the stage but also supporting Adam Yates on GC. Today we also got luck on our side. We’re pleased with this result. Tirreno-Adriatico is one of my favorite races of the year. But I don’t deserve the jersey any more than anyone else in the squad. I’m just really happy for the whole team.”

Tomorrow’s Stage: Camaiore-Pomarance 195km

This stage is wavy and undulating, especially in the second part, with an uphill finish. Starting in Camaiore and cutting through Montemagno, the route reaches Pisa and the district of Livorno on flat roads. Gentle slopes start on the approach to Collesalvetti. The route takes in a categorized climb in Castellina Marittima then reaches the feed zone, located between San Martino and Casino di Terra.

Here, the route becomes technically demanding, running up towards Canneto to take in the second categorized climb of the Race of the Two Seas in Serrazzano. After reaching Pomarance the first time, the route draws almost a long circuit that leads to Saline di Volterra and then all the way to the final climb (approx 12km), with peaks reaching 16%.

Just past Saline di Volterra, the route starts to go up towards Cerreto, on a long and very uneven climb, with slopes topping out at 16% alternating with mild 2-3% gradients. From the last gentle bend, the final part of the route is straightforward, on 7m wide, asphalt road.

Stage 1 Brief Results:

1. Mitchelton – Scott, 21.5km in 22’25”, average speed 57.546kph
2. Team Jumbo – Visma at 7″
3. Team Sunweb at 22″

General Classification After Stage 1:

1. Michael Hepburn (Mitchelton – Scott)
2. Brent Bookwalter (Mitchelton – Scott) s.t.
3. Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton – Scott) s.t.