The Giro d’Italia got underway this afternoon for a fast blast around the streets of Turin, with a mostly flat eight and a half kilometre long time trial on the menu that would see some blisteringly high average speeds set. Taking to the course on their Scott Plasma TT bikes with Shimano components, the team powered their way around the route, taking the few corners well, confident after doing their recon earlier in the day.

Nico Denz and Nicholas Roche set good early benchmark times for the team, with the latter setting the fastest time of the day for the team with a great ride of nine minutes and 27 seconds. Nikias Arndt produced a good effort before Jai Hindley and Romain Bardet headed down the start ramp as the day progressed. Both riders measured their efforts well over the fast course, setting solid times at the intermediate split before carrying that to the line. Hindley completed his run in nine minutes and 33 seconds, while Bardet finished just behind in nine minutes and 39 seconds; with both Team DSM riders in and around the other GC climbers.

“I felt that was a pretty good ride and I left it all out there,” explained Hindley after the stage. “I don’t think I could have done much more really, the pacing plan from the team was spot on. The equipment with our skinsuit and TT bike felt good out there so I’m super happy with that. We’re happy with where the form is at the moment so it’s a good start to the race for us. For now, the coming days our main focus will be on staying safe and avoiding any problems ahead of the tougher stages to come.”

Team DSM coach Matt Winston added: “It was good to get the Giro underway with a nice time trial around Torino. I’m really happy with how the guys felt and their sensations that they felt through the ride and where they are now as we head into the rest of the race. It’s a good starting point for us and it’s certainly something that we can build on over the coming weeks.”