The lingering effects of Strade Bianche were obvious in Stage 1 of Tirreno-Adriatico, which consisted of an 11.5km time trial along the Adriatic Sea. Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers) was the best-placed of the GC riders, followed closely by Primož Roglič (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain - Victorious). By the end of the seven-day race, only one of these riders would finish in the top 10, with Roglič coming fifth. Instead, it was North Americans Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) and Matteo Jorgenson (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) who came out on top.
Over the course of a week in Italy, the race was flipped on its head multiple times. There were surprise stage winners, dramatic crashes and inspiring comebacks, but above all, there were dazzling performances from the superstars of professional cycling.
