Among the 5 pre-race favourites, Domenico Pozzovivo was the big loser in the team time trial at the Giro d'Italia as his Ag2r team could only manage 16th. Hence, the Italia lost 41 seconds to Alberto Contador who was best of the GC riders.

"They did a decent time trial," manager Vincent Lavenu said. "They followed the instructions and did it right. There is a big difference between our riders and we had to find the right balance. We mastered the time trial, the boys did what they should and were serious. I had imagined that we would lose forty seconds to the best teams. The goal was not to win the time trial. "

"It was as I had expected," Pozzovivo said. "We didn't take too many risks. Everyone did what he could. Some took some longer turns than others. Now the Giro starts tomorrow. It will be the least complicated stage of the Giro but we will still remain vigilant."