The experienced Italian got off to a good start at his home race.
The charming seaside town of Lido di Camaiore got to host the opening stage of Tirreno-Adriatico for the 11th year in a row, a fast, flat and non-technical 11.5km individual time trial which established an initial pecking order at the “Race of the Two Seas”.
Our best rider on this first day was Mattia Cattaneo. A bronze medalist at last year’s European ITT Championships, Mattia was the last Soudal Quick-Step rider to roll down the ramp and produced a solid time trial, stopping the clock in 12:53, enough for seventh on the stage won by countryman Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers).
“I’m really happy with my ride, because it’s my first time trial of the season and to be top ten is a nice result. It was a good day and a good start to the race. We’re looking forward to the next days and to fighting for some strong results here”, Cattaneo said after the race.
On Tuesday, the peloton will tackle a completely flat stage between Camaiore and Follonica, where the fast men are expected to fight for victory and the points jersey, in what should be the first of the race’s three bunch sprints.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
