Remco Evenepoe is the first to take over the pink jersey. © ANSA / ZEN

A big exclamation mark right at the start of the Giro

The Belgian co-favorite Remco Evenepoel set a mark in the time trial at the start of the 106th Giro d'Italia and beat Italian star Filippo Ganna.

06 May 2023

From: fop/apa

The 23-year-old road world champion from the Soudal team won on Saturday over less than 20 km on the Adriatic coast from Fossacesia Marina to Ortona 22 seconds ahead of the multiple track and road individual time trial world champion Filippo Ganna (Ineos).

Olympic time trial champion Primoz Roglic, who was considered Evenepoel's fiercest rival, had already lost 43 seconds in sixth place. Third in the battle against the clock was the Portuguese Joao Almeida (UAE), 29 seconds behind.

Filippo Ganna only had to admit defeat to Remco Evenepoe. © ANSA / ZEN

Roglic fell even more behind against Evenepoel, who was driving at an average speed of over 55 km/h. In the next three weeks, the Slovenian will also have to make do with a jumbo team that has been changed at short notice in five positions.

The second stage on Sunday covers a largely flat 202 km from Teramo to San Salvo. The high-ranking Giro lasts until May 28th, when the overall winner will be crowned in Rome. There is no South Tyrol stage on the program this year; the Tour of Italy will only touch the northernmost province.