The 27-year-old was our top finisher in Lido di Camaiore.
Ethan Hayter confirmed the strong start to the season he is enjoying, taking another good result in a World Tour individual time trial. After finishing fourth at the UAE Tour’s stage against the clock, the British Champion was again Soudal Quick-Step’s top finisher in an ITT, this time in Italy.
Tirreno-Adriatico got underway Monday with a 11.5km stage for the specialists, who had the perfect conditions to hit some impressive speeds on the roads of Lido di Camaiore. The team’s last rider to roll down the ramp, Hayter was among the fastest at the finish thanks to a 54.74km/h average speed, which put him into eighth place at the end of this stage won by Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers).
Ilan Van Wilder, who came to the “Race of the Two Seas” with the ambition of doing a good general classification, was another Soudal Quick-Step rider to put in a solid effort on the opening stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, concluding it in 12:56.
Very likely, the standings will change on Tuesday, when the riders will face the hilly roads to San Gimignano, where tricky dirt roads and a punchy finish await.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
