A short time trial opened Tirreno-Adriatico’s 50th edition on Wednesday, March 11th: a demanding test for Colombia-Coldeportes, once again showing there is still much work to do in races against the time, particularly the short ones, but the team is ready to leave it behind and refocus on the most demanding stages of the ‘Race of the Two Seas’.

The 5,4 km individual time trial, in replacement of the original team time trial, starting and finishing in Lido di Camaiore, saw Italian Adriano Malori prevail on a short margin. The Movistar athlete took both the stage and the first blue jersey with a 6.04 time, only one second faster than Fabian Cancellara (Trek), and two faster than Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).

On the fast route of the day, Italian Vincenzo Nibali (Astana, 28th at 11 seconds) won the first round of the challenge between him, Alberto Contador (61st at 19 seconds) and Nairo Quintana (69th at 21 seconds), in a battle that is clearly going to sparkle over the final and decisive days of the race.

Colombia-Coldeportes’ Escarabajos struggled in a specialty traditionally unsuited to their characteristics: Brayan Ramirez provided the best performance for the team, 31 seconds behind Malori, followed by Carlos Julian Quintero, at 35”.

“It was a technical route, with tough bends to be rode at a very high pace, and suited to very powerful and punchy riders," told Alex Cano, who finished 42 seconds behind the winner. “It was not our day: let’s look ahead to the next stages, aiming to be up there with the strongest when the mountains come.”

Tomorrow, Thursday, the peloton will tackle the first road stage: 153 mostly flat kilometres from Camaiore to Cascina.