Team avoid late crash as Giro gets under way

Ben Turner and his Netcompany INEOS teammates avoided a late crash to complete the opening stage safely at the Giro d’Italia.

After 147 kilometres stage one came down to a bunch sprint as expected in the Bulgarian city of Burgas. Turner had manoeuvred himself into a promising position before finding his progress halted as a crash blocked the road with 650 metres remaining.

Narrowly avoiding the crash, Turner was able to finish alongside his teammates without issue, with the three-kilometre rule applied as the Grand Tour got under way.

With only a select few riders making it through the blockage, it was Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) who claimed victory and the opening Maglia Rosa.

With only a two-man break up the road for the majority of the day, the team were able to throw their weight behind supporting Thymen Arensman and Egan Bernal in the bunch, conserving energy for the tests to come.

Saturday’s stage two should provide a hilly challenge, including three categorised climbs on the road to Veliko Tarnovo.