With a team firmly focused on the Robert Gesink's GC options the Blanco team had very little to gain in yesterday's opening stage of the Giro d'Italia. The day had a successful end as all of the team's riders escaped the many crashes and the team now faces today's team time trial with plenty of confidence.

It was mission accomplished for the Blanco team in yesterday's opening stage of the Giro d'Italia. The squad has given the Italian grand tour great priority this year due to its search for a new sponsor and with Robert Gesink, Steven Kruijswijk and Wilco Kelderman all in the line-up some of the team's strongest stage race riders are in Italy during the month of May.

The team managed to get safely through yesterday's opening stage and that was a source for pleasure in the Dutch camp.

”Without a true sprinter in the team, there was not a lot for us to do here in Naples," sports director Michiel Elijzen said. "I am happy just to see them come in one piece. Stef Clement came in a bit late because he flatted with two laps to go and coasted home. He also needed to save up for the time trial tomorrow.”

Most of all the team was just happy to finally get going after months of preparation.

“It’s good that the run-up is behind us," he said. "You’re busy with the team presentation and all that kind of stuff but really you’re just waiting for all to begin. It’s good to be racing and the mood is very good, partly because we finished a rather chaotic and hectic first day in good shape.”

With the firm focus on Robert Gesink's GC options the first important challenge for the Dutch squad comes in today's team time trial. With the likes of Maarten Tjallingii, Maarten Wynants, Stef Clement, Jack Bobridge, Kelderman and Gesink in the line-up the team has a formidable roster for the discipline and the Dutch captain could find himself ahead of some of his rivals at the end of the stage.

Elijzen is confident and hopes to see the team mix it up with the best teams.

“I think we’re really ready for it," he said. "We have good team depth and that is important. Naturally you want all your riders to perform well. I know that the guys are really shooting for a good result. A top five finish would be fantastic. Looking at the team and the parcours it should be possible. That should be a good basis for Robert to work from.”

“The time trial will be run on an island and the team has not had the opportunity to train on the parcours”, he continued “Instead, we trained outside Napels. Mathieu (Heijboer, team trainer, ed.) has seen and filmed the route. Tonight we’ll be showing it to the guys and tomorrow afternoon, after we arrive there, we’ll train on location.”

Starting at 15.15 you can follow the stage in its entirety on CyclingQuotes.com/live.