We start off the race with a 9.5 km time-trial. It's the first chance to gauge the GC contenders and see if the gaps today prove to already be decisive in some cases. For the specialists against the clock it's a chance to spend a day or more likely two, in the leader's jersey. So let's begin!
Glanbia's Sebright is one of the first riders that have made to the finish. As one of the favourites for today we will see how his time does.
11'42''
Well Sebright's time in the hot seat wasn't that long. Steensen is 5'' quicker than the American.
11'37''
We have a new best time now. Sterbini is just a second faster and takes the lead now!
11'36''
Oram is another of the pre race favourites today, but he can't get close to Sterbini.
11'54''
Neither can Quaade, 13'' slower in only enough for 8th right now.
11'49''
Ignatiev produces a decent effort here, but 4'' down means 4th place.
11'40''
And now we have a new fastest time! Li is 3'' faster than Sterbini.
11'33''
Well that didn't last long! Downey is another 4'' faster than Li! This time-trial is heating up.
11'29''
We have another good time right here. The Belgian champion Cornu is 2'' off the Irishman, which puts him in 2nd place.
11'31''
Laizer is just a fraction off Cornu, provisionally 3rd now.
11'31''
New fastest time now! By a fraction of a second! It's Dumoulin who is the leader now. His manager will like this effort.
11'29''
Kiflay doesn't do bad here, but the margins are small and he's only 7th right now with this time.
11'35''
Ghyselinck has been performing above expectations in most of these events. Today's effort is only enough for 5th place now.
11'34''
Hamza nearly caught the rider that started before him, but that has more to do with the Trans rider. The Algerian is 4'' off the pace and it's only 6th place for him.
11'33''
Craddock posts a very solid time. He just edges Hamza out of 6th place here.
11'33''
Well that's it all the big names have done their ride. No surprises popped up in the end. Tom Dumoulin is the stage winner.
Wait... no! The judges have changed their mind?! We now have official word and Sean Downey is the stage winner. Apparently it came down to milliseconds, but the Irishman is declared the winner. Dumoulin and his team will feel hard done by with this. So Downey will wear yellow tomorrow and Dumoulin green. The young rider's jersey goes to Zeke Mostov.
Tour de Vineyards - Stage 1 
