We had a dream start to the Giro Rosa Iccrea, after winning the team time trial (TTT) opening stage, and putting Kasia Niewiadoma into the first leader’s jersey.

In hot conditions, the 18km first stage from Cassano Spinola to Castellania was a tough parcours with a climb, technical descent, followed by a climb to the finish line. CANYON//SRAM Racing finished 24 seconds ahead of second placed Bigla Pro Cycling and 45 seconds ahead of CCC Liv. The team crossed the line with Kasia Niewiadoma, Hannah Barnes, Alena Amialiusik and Omer Shapira, after Tiffany Cromwell and Alexis Ryan did early work.

“TTT podiums are the best kind of podiums!” said a delighted Hannah Barnes. Read the reactions from each of our riders below.

Kasia Niewiadoma

“It is so beautiful to win a TTT! It’s a big effort from every single person on the team! I’m not talking only about riders, but also the staff! We did our best! We believed that we can achieve something special, stopped complaining, and voila we won the stage!”

“I would like if I could say that I wasn’t suffering in the stage, but we set a hard pace from the start, and it was never easy. We took a lot of care and were supporting each other throughout the entire course! I’m very proud of my team and more than happy to wear the first maglia rosa!”

Alena Amialiusik

“We are so happy! It’s the BEST way to start the Giro Rosa. It was very hard, and not a classy TTT performance but we had very good tactics and we used our strengths in the right way.”

“We rode smoothly and at the final we have a great result. It is an amazing feeling to win the stage together with your teammates, stepping onto the podium together, and sharing the champagne shower!”

Hannah Barnes

“I was expecting it to be hard, but not that hard. We knew that the key to a good result was to be smooth so we did long pulls on the front to avoid any acceleration. I’m really proud of how we rode and to have Kasia in pink is really nice. TTT podiums are the best, especially when we win!!”

Omer Shapira

“It was my first TTT and I didn’t know what to expect. I can say now it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done! I suffered from the very first minute, but I knew I had no choice and I had to just dig in and hold it together. I was hoping to be able to contribute more for the team effort, but I was the weakest today.”

“After I realised that we won I felt a bit better and I understand just how strong the other three are! I have a lot to learn to do a TTT better.”

Alexis Ryan

“The stage was unforgiving! I helped the girls as much as I could at the beginning, but I struggled with the terrain. I’m so proud of them for fighting to the finish and taking the win! I don’t believe anyone was expecting to win. It’s always better winning as a team, and now our Kasia is pretty in pink!

Tiffany Cromwell

“For me the stage was pretty difficult. I always knew with the early climb and the strength of our climbing girls that it was going to be a struggle to make it over. And unfortunately I couldn’t hang on and contribute much. But I’m so proud of the team. We have a lot of positive energy at the moment. And it’s pretty awesome to stand on the podium with the girls. A nice early birthday present!”

How to follow

Follow on Twitter with #UCIWWT. Video highlights in Italy will be on Rai Sport and Rai 2, and outside Italy post-stage highlights will be here on Voxwomen 18:30CEST daily, and race highlights on GCN Racing.

Saturday 6 July | Stage 2 | 78km | Viú – Viú

Sunday 7 July | Stage 3 | 101.9km | Sagliano Micca – Piedicavallo

Monday 8 July | Stage 4 | 101km | Lissone – Carate Brianza

Tuesday 9 July | Stage 5 | 97.1km | Ponte in Valtellina – Passo Gavia

Wednesday 10 July | Stage 6 | 12.1km ITT | Chiuro – Teglio

Thursday 11 July | Stage 7 | 127.8km | Cornedo Vicentino – Fara Vicentino

Friday 12 July | Stage 8 | 134.3km | Vittorio Veneto – Maniago

Saturday 13 July | Stage 9 | 125.8km | Gemona – Chiusaforte-Malga Montasio

Sunday 14 July | Stage 10 | 118.3km | San Vito al Tagliamento – Udine

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