Mads Pedersen, a former world champion from Denmark, is the winner of a historic race - the first stage of the Giro d'Italia, a 160-kilometer ride from Durres, via Elbasan, to Tirana.
The start of the Giro in the Balkans did not disappoint, on the contrary! As the 160 km long race, through interesting terrain, kicked off the first Grand Tour of the year.
Pedersen's Lidl-Trek teammates set a terrifying pace on the steep Surel climb that interrupted two 22km laps of Tirana, with all the sprinters dropping out before the final.
That left Pedersen in top position in the final kilometer, and he held off Vaut Van Art (Visma) who was charging ahead and added another level to an impressive career.
"To win a stage and get into the pink jersey is absolutely incredible, especially after such great teamwork," said Pedersen, who won the world road title in England in 2019.
"You always have to be afraid of Vau, he's a really good cyclist. It's not a guarantee that you'll win if he's in the group and you have to accept that with respect and a little fear. But today I had the strength to finish the job for the team."
Pedersen will start Saturday's 13km time trial wearing the leading rider's jersey for the first time in a Grand Tour.
Van Aert was unhappy that he could not mark his Giro d'Italia debut with a victory in the first stage.
"There are only a few chances to win the pink jersey. That's why I really wanted to try - on the last climb, I suffered so much just to stay in the competition," said Van Aert, adding:
"So it's a shame to finish second, but it's still better than expected."
The first day was not without drama as Juan Ajuso (UAE Team Emirates) crashed early on the roundabout, but he remained unharmed and finished safely in the group alongside race favorite Primož Roglič (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe).
Much worse news arrived for another candidate for the overall victory as Ajus's colleague, Spaniard Mikel Landa, fell heavily five kilometers before the finish line and was carried away on a stretcher, definitively ending this year's Giro for him.
Two other riders expected to fight for the pink jersey - Derek Gi (Israel-Premier Tech) and Timen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers) - lost time on a busy day for the race.
But Sylvain Moni (Cofidis), who had been part of the leading group for most of the day, took the lead in the climbers' category.
1. Pedersen – 3.36,14. 2. Van Art (Belgium, Visma) – 0,04. 3. Orlius Aular (Veencuela, Movistar) – 0,06. 4. Francesco Buzato (Italy, Intermarč - Vanti) – 0,10.
The third stage will also be held in Albania - after tomorrow's time trial through the streets of Tirana, the Giro will move south on Sunday, to Vlora, where a challenging tour will be held in the hills, and after a rest day (Monday), the Giro will move across the Adriatic Sea to southern Italy.
Bonus video:
