Trek had hoped to finish between 5th and 10th in today's opening Giro d'Italia team time trial but the team was one of the unlucky ones to do the entire stage in rainy conditions. An 11th place didn't live up to the expectations but given the weather, they were pleased with their ride.

It was a quick blast through Belfast city center, a mere 21.7 kilometers, with one small bump and 12 corners for the nine-man teams to navigate. Trek Factory Racing, eighth out of the 22 teams to start, provisionally set the fourth fastest time as they sprinted over the finish line in 25:42. When the final team had completed the short race against the clock Trek Factory Racing finished in 11th place, a respectable result considering they were one of the unfortunate teams that had to deal with unfavorable weather conditions.

“From when Movistar started to around when Cannondale began it was rain and completely wet,” said director Adriano Baffi. “I think in the normal conditions we would have been more around 30-35 seconds gap to Orica-GreenEdge and BMC. That was our goal. We ended one minute from Orica but in bad conditions – so although this is not a good result, it still gives us confidence.”

One of the pre-race favorites to win the opening stage was Orica-GreenEdge, and as the second team off the start ramp they set a vicious early time to beat, stopping the clock in 24:42. One by one the teams crossed the line, but none could knock the Australian squad out of the hot seat. Orica-GreenEdge held on to win the opening team time trial with Omega Pharma-QuickStep and BMC Racing taking a close second (+05”) and third (+07”) respectively.

Canadian Svein Tuft will wear the first maglia rosa of the 2014 Giro d’Italia as first rider across the line for Orica-GreenEdge, a planned birthday gift for the 37-year-old time trial specialist.

It’s in the latter part of the three-week race where the mountain stages loom and where, more than likely, the race will be won and lost. The team trial today was insignificant in the overall picture, but it did give the team a boost of confidence despite the mediocre finish, explained Adriano Baffi.

“The time trial is something that is always special,” he added.  “We knew that today we could finish between 5th and 10th position and in normal conditions that is where we would have been. We have a good team here, with a very good spirit and morale. I have to say we are happy with our performance – the result no – but we could not control the weather. But the Giro is long, and today is not determining the overall by any means.”

Trek Factory Racing now turns its focus to the next two days, back-to-back flat stages that favor the sprinters. Giacomo Nizzolo will make a bid for his first ever Giro stage win after a second place in stage 13 last year, and a third place in 2012.