Cannondale started the Tirreno-Adriatico with two general classification contenders, Rigoberto Uran and Davide Formolo. Even if the Colombian rider is still suffering after crashing at speed during Wednesday's team time trial at Tirreno-Adriatico, he wants to do well to improve his physical condition for the Giro d'Italia.

"I landed hard yesterday and I'm a bit banged up but I hope to feel better as the race goes on," he told Cyclingnews. "I've got scares everywhere, on my left, my right, on my rear… everywhere. But that's racing. I'm going to carry on. Crashing is part of cycling, it's important to look forward, not back. We can't change what happened but we can shape our future."

Uran lost more two minutes in the team time trial stage and he is currently 52nd in the overall classification. His best chance for a possible stage victory is on Sunday. The queen stage of this year's Tirreno-Adriatico ends with a 10km climb to Monte San Vicino deep in the little known Marche region. "Two minutes is a lot. But let's see what we can do. I'm determined to do as well as possible. It's important to have the desire to do well. We've got a good team, we're on form and so we'll keep trying."