Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) has won Stage 1 of the 2023 Giro d’Italia, the 19.6km long Costa dei Trabocchi Tudor ITT from Fossacesia Marina to Ortona that marks the start of the Corsa Rosa and decides the first Maglia Rosa of the race.
Soudal Quick-Step’s leader was a man on a mission Saturday afternoon as he left the start house, wasting no time on the flat roads of Abruzzo and almost instantly opening a big gap on all the other riders as he hit a maximum speed exceeding 60km/h. At the half-way mark, the 23-year-old Belgian ITT Champion was more than twenty seconds up on the previous benchmark, and he showed no intention of slowing down, as he prepared to tackle the 2.8km climb to the finish.
Evenepoel continued to fly there and stopped the clock in a stunning 21:18, after averaging a whooping 55.2km/h, a result that made him the youngest Belgian rider since 1974 to score a stage win at the Corsa Rosa. It was Remco’s 42nd pro victory, and his 14th at World Tour level – one that netted the World Champion multiple podium visits, to collect the stage trophy and three jerseys – pink, cyclamen and white.
Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) and João Pedro Gonçalves Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) finished second and third respectively.
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner and Maglia Rosa Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) said: “Super happy. It’s the best result we can get for the first day. I said I needed a time of 21’30” to win and I did 21’18”. I felt from the start that I had the right rhythm, always on the same gear. Now I want to stay safe in the first week and save as much energy as possible for the next time trial.”
“Getting the pink jersey wasn’t on my mind, he added. “I just tried to do a good race and gain time on the other riders. Nevertheless, to have this iconic jersey is an honour. It’s an iconic garment in cycling and it gives me a great feeling knowing I will sport it on my shoulders”
“I know my own abilities but I was a bit surprised by the time I did, Almeida told reporters. “But it just confirms the good work that the team has been doing so we are pretty happy with it. It’s important to start on the right foot and then let the race flow so I think we are in a pretty good position.”
Stage 1 Brief Results:
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) – 19.6 km in 21’18”, average speed 55.211 km/h
- Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) at 22″
- João Pedro Gonçalves Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) at 29″
General Classification After Stage 1:
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
- Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) at 22″
- João Pedro Gonçalves Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) at 29″
Jerseys:
- Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Enel – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
- Maglia Ciclamino (Cyclamen), leader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Agenzia ICE with the brand
- Madeinitaly.gov.it – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
- Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna (KOM), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers)
- Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Intimissimi Uomo – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
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