The stage could again come down to a battle between Omega Pharma-Quikstep and Orica Greenedge teams, who have been strongest in the discipline in recent years.
Greenedge took the 2012 Tour stage, beating Omega Pharma by just 1 second, while the Belgian team had their payback this year, winning the opening stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. They benefited however from having Tony Martin in their lineup, something they won’t have at the Giro.
Movistar also showed well at Tirreno and they will do all they can do keep race favourite Nairo Quintana close to the top of the standings.
Big rides will also be expected of BMC, with Cadel Evans on board, and Garmin, who were kings of the discipline a couple of years ago.
Giro 2014 Stage 1: Images and more!
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles Riders and teams - Giro 2014 Favourites - Giro 2014 Withdrawals - Giro 2014 Favourites - Giro 2014 The Route - Giro 2014 More articles Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 6: Nantua - Crest-Voland
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: Solo triumph and yellow jersey Vingegaard
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: Riders
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: GC Favourites
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 7: Porte-de-Savoie - Col de la Croix de Fer
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 8: Le Pont-de-Claix - La Bastille, Grenoble
Tour de Suisse 2023: The Route
Tour de Suisse 2023: Riders
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 1: Einsiedeln - Einsiedeln
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 2: Beromünster - Nottwil
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 3: Tafers - Villars-sur-Ollon
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 4: Monthey - Leukerbad
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 5: Fiesch - La Punt
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 6: La Punt - Oberwil-Lieli
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 7: Tübach - Weinfelden
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 8: Sankt Gallen - Abtwil
Cycling Calendar 2023
Tour de France 2023: The Route
Tour de France 2023: Riders
Tour de France 2023: GC Favourites
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 1: Bilbao - Bilbao
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz - San Sebastián
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 3: Amorebieta-Etxano - Bayonne
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 4: Dax - Nogaro
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 5: Pau - Laruns
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 6: Tarbes - Cauterets
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 7: Mont-de-Marsan - Bordeaux
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 8: Libourne - Limoges
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 9: Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat - Puy de Dôme