The 38th edition of Italy's Giro del Trentino kicked off today with a Team Time Trial. Team NetApp – Endura managed to complete the technically demanding, 13.4-km course with a time of 14:17 minutes. As a result, the highest-ranked German cycling team took second place, beaten only by WorldTour team BMC. With today's success the team underscores its traditional strength in this special discipline. At the same time, the result is already the 10th podium spot that NetApp – Endura has claimed in what is still the early part of the season.

 

"We weren't counting on a podium spot with this heavily competitive field. Second place is yet another level compared to previous years. The team worked incredibly well today, and everyone rode at their limit and without making any mistakes. And when that's rewarded with such a good result, then everyone can be very satisfied," says Enrico Poitschke, Team NetApp – Endura Sport Director, summing up the day.

The rest of the tour will be marked by mountain finishes. Tomorrow's second stage will take the riders on a 164.5-km course from Limone on Lake Garda to San Giacomo di Brentonico. After two Category 2 mountain classifications that will occur around mid stage, the race will come down to the final climb of nearly 15 kilometers. The riders will have to complete the nearly 12% inclines on their way to the mountain finish.

"Tomorrow we'll be in a relatively comfortable situation because today we got a bit out ahead of the other riders. On top of that, we have several riders on our team who can score a good result when it comes to the mountain finishes. Without expending too much energy in the first part of the stage, we'll try to ride well into the final climb. And then we'll see who has the legs tomorrow to ride out front," Poitschke says looking ahead to the second stage.

 

Website Giro del Trentino

1. Stage (TTT): Riva del Garda – Arco, 13,4 km
2. Stage: Limone sul Garda – San Giacomo di Brentonico, 164,5 km 
3. Stage: Mori – Roncone, 184,4 km
4. Stage: Val Daone – Monte Bondone, 175 km