Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) kept the Settimana Internazionale di Coppi e Bartali leader's jersey that he won in the morning stage through a sprint win. The Liquigas-Doimo team won the 15.6km team time trial in the afternoon, ahead of De Rosa Stac Plastic (nine seconds back) and Lampre Farnese Vini (15 seconds). ISD Neri finished fourth (25 seconds) and PSK Whirlpool Author was 36 seconds back.
Chicchi was skeptical until the team hit the finish line. "I didn't expect us to win, as we didn't specifically prepare for this team time trial. But the guys gave it 100% both in the morning and now," Chicchi said after the stage. "All of them were just incredible." The team averaged 52,394 km/h.
In the overall, Chicchi leads his entire team by six seconds - the first eight spots are all in Liquigas hands.
Tomorrow's stage two runs from San Lazzaro di Savena to Faenza over 175.1 kilometers.
Results stage 1b: Riccione - Riccione - 15.6 km (team time trial)
1. Liquigas-Doimo in 17'51"
2. De Rosa Stac Plastic at 9s
3. Lampre Farnese Vini at 15s
4. ISD Neri at 25s
5. PSK Whirlpool Author at 36s
Overall results after stage 1b
1. Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas-Doimo)
2. Davide Cimolai (Liquigas-Doimo) at 0'06
3. Mauro Finetto (Liquigas-Doimo)
4. Oliver Zaugg (Liquigas-Doimo)
5. Tiziano Dall'Antonia (Liquigas-Doimo)