Team Sky 'very happy' with Tirreno-Adriatico team time trial result as they look ahead to mountains
British WorldTour team places third behind BMC Racing and Mitchelton-Scott in Tirreno-Adriatco opener

Team Sky on stage one of 2018 Tirreno-Adriatico. Photo by Yuzuru Sunada

Team Sky placed third in the opening team time trial of the 2018 edition of Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy on Wednesday, a result that the squad says they are 'very happy' with.
The British WorldTour outfit was the second squad to start out on the flat 21.5-kilometre test against the clock in Lido Di Camaiore. This put them at something of a disadvantage as they were unaware of how other teams would tackle the twisting route.
Nevertheless, the squad finished in third spot, nine seconds behind winners – and former TTT world champions – BMC Racing, with Mitchelton-Scott in second place at four seconds.
>>> BMC Racing win Tirreno-Adriatico team time trial to put Damiano Caruso in lead
“I’m very happy, the guys were very, very fast today," said Sky sport director Matteo Tosatto. "When you start as the second team sometimes the weather conditions can change ahead of the final team.
“The guys were very strong, very happy and it was a good start to Tirreno-Adriatico."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeTPblz5-lc
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Geraint Thomas crossed the line first as Sky finished, perhaps hopeful that if the squad won he would take the early race lead. Ultimately, the leader's jersey went to BMC's Damiano Caruso – but Thomas sits in ninth place overall, with team-mate Chris Froome in 12th spot.
“Today G [Thomas] and Chris [Froome] put in good performances, stages three and four are very important and they look as though they are in good form,” said Tosatto.
Sky managed to finish with six riders in its leading group in the TT, whereas BMC and Mitchelton-Scott had just four. Crucially, though, Mitchelton-Scott's four included GC hope Adam Yates, who is now in seventh place overall, and the highest-placed of the pre-race favourites.
>>> Tirreno-Adriatico 2018: Latest news, reports and race info
Other GC contenders did not fare so well, with Fabio Aru (UAE Team Emirates), Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) and Mikel Landa (Movistar) losing 45, 49 and 50 seconds to BMC respectively.
The race continues on Thursday with stage two, a largely flat stage that is widely expected to end in a bunch sprint. Then it is on to Friday's long, lumpy stage with an uphill finish to Trevi and Saturday's equally hilly excursion on stage four with a long climb to the line in Sarnano Sassotetto.
Tirreno-Adriatico then concludes on Tuesday, March 13, with a decisive 10km individual time trial in San Benedetto Del Tronto.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Tom Pidcock to ride Giro d'Italia - 'I’m motivated to make the most of it'
Briton's Q36.5 team one of four wildcard invites to this year's Giro after wildcard ruling
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock’s Q36.5 receive Giro d’Italia wildcard invite along with Tudor Pro Cycling
Team Polti Visit Malta and VF Group BardianiCSF - Faizane also receive invitations from RCS
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'An unprecedented opportunity for brands to be part of the evolution' - Ineos Grenadiers sponsor hunt steps up with sales agency partnership
Sportfive have been employed to find "non-endemic global partners for the team"
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We've all got a little bit extra in us this year' - Ineos Grenadiers recapture 'fighting spirit' with aggressive Paris-Nice display
British team continue to put tumultuous 2024 behind them with momentum and a new found mentality
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'My biggest victory' - Juan Ayuso seals Tirreno-Adriatico overall, as Jonathan Milan sprints to victory on stage 7
Spaniard looks ahead to Giro d'Italia after claiming second GC victory of his career
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Could a TotalEnergies deal be the end of Ineos Grenadiers as we know them?
Reports suggested this week that Ineos could be close to signing a deal with the French petrochemical firm
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'They’re racing with their hearts again' - Robbie McEwen on Ineos Grenadiers' bright start to 2025
The British squad have already won four times in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers are entertaining so far this year, but how long will it last?
The British WorldTour squad have won four times already in 2025, but more than that, they have been fun. Is this the new dawn?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Caleb Ewan says he was put in a 'bad situation' by Jayco AlUla before he joined Ineos Grenadiers
Ewan joined Ineos Grenadiers in January after spending just one year with Jayco AlUla
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'There's no bull****, that's what I've always liked' - Geraint Thomas's first BC coach Rod Ellingworth on the retiring Welshman
The 2018 Tour de France winner will step away from professional cycling at the end of the season
By Tom Thewlis Published