Alexandre Vinokourov took the opening 12.5km time trial in the Giro del Trentino, run from Riva del Garda to Torbole sul Garda. Along the scenic Lake Garda, the Kazakh beat Stefano Garzelli and Matteo Montaguti.
Vinokourov quickly denied any ambitions for the Giro d’Italia overall classification. “I don’t think so, since I’d be content with much less, even a stage win might be enough.” He is however fully expecting to do well this weekend. “On Sunday I’ll be in Liège with strong ambitions. Here in Trentino there are a lot of competitors going for the overall.”
The time gaps were larger then BMC’s Assistant Director Michael Sayers anticipated. “There was a strong headwind in the last five kilometers and that might have been the difference,” he said. BMC’s highest place finisher was Thomas Frei, who was one place ahead of Ivan Basso, 33 seconds behind Vinokourov.
Wednesday’s stage is 172.5 km and features a mountain-top finish. “Thomas is riding with some confidence,” Sayers said. “Tomorrow, we’ll try to stay calm and get to the bottom of the climb and then help Thomas and Alex Moos as much as we can.”
Results stage 1
1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana)
2. Stefano Garzelli (Acqua e Sapone) at 0’16
3. Matteo Montaguti (De Rosa) at 0’18
4. Michele Scarponi (Androni Giocattoli) at 0’23