Strong start for Bernal at Giro d'Italia

A punchy day in the saddle saw Egan Bernal have a solid start on the first day of the Giro d’Italia from Durres to Tirana.

Bernal was the top finisher for the Grenadiers, finishing 25th in the bunch sprint behind winner Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), with Thymen Arensman and Josh Tarling battling hard to limit their losses, crossing the line one minute and 35 seconds back.

A flat start to the 160-kilometre stage saw an early break head up the road, with Kim Heiduk, Ben Turner and Lucas Hamilton all taking strong turns at the front of the main peloton.

Hamilton and Jonathan Castroviejo were key in looking after Bernal and Arensman up the first categorised climb of the day, 13km up the Gracen, before Tarling and Brandon Rivera were strong climbing supports up the first ascent of the Surrel climb. Bernal continued to hold his position to roll in with a select group of 36 at the finish. 

Tomorrow will see the riders tackle a 13.7 km time trial in Tirana.