Unlike some of the stages, Stage 1 is not entirely flat, there are a few sporadic testing climbs in here.
Theres an intermediate sprint early on, first chance to see the sprinter's skills, and Borrajo takes it ahead of Haidar Anuawar and Manan
Despite an apparent lack of climbing skills, Linden takes the first KoM - while teammate Alarcon darted out of the pack for 3rd
Pagoto takes the next sprint - Westling continuing the IKEA Bianchi theme with 3rd
2nd time is tougher, and Pagoto has dropped Linden. Alarcon (and Bosisio) attack too late for 3rd, and are beaten by Delage
Linden remains 30 seconds behind Pagoto over the next sprint, as Vespa perfectly execute a lead out for Gavazzi for 3rd - Ascani dragging him away from the other sprinters before the sprint had began
Pagoto moves into the lead of the KoM competition outright by topping the 3rd climb. Linden 2nd, Gonzalo 3rd
4th climb is the hardest of all. Coming 50km from the finish it is 2.5km at a consistent 6%. Pagoto tops it, Linden struggles to 2nd while Bosisio punches past other attackers for 3rd
Some riders are struggling at the back of the peleton though
And there is a gap! Some sprinters have been dropped here including Awang, Gavazzi, Di Nucci, Kankovsky, Timofeev and Cucinotta.
Theres strong winds about and they have a gap of around 30 seconds behind the pack. They are not helped by the fact that Gabriele Bosisio has continued his attack over the climb, leaving the peleton no choice put to push harder in pursuit as the Italian passed Linden
Bosisio and Pagoto link up with 20km to go - and by now it is clear that the dropped sprinters will not make it back. A major blow to their GC aspiration prior to the mountain stage, and also the points competition.
The leading Vespa pair are cuaght with 12km to go, there will be a sprint
And again Vespa are at the front as Cassidy leads out Bernucci and Delage
However Cassidy is a weak sprinter, and with Bernucci reluctant to more, they are caught up again by the rest
Crescenzo D'Amore fires into the lead. M&M's Iannetti attempts to chase but is not much of a sprinter - teammate Haidar Anuawar appears partly boxed in and partly lacking the strength
Delage shows he is going well as despite lingering on the Vespa train too long, has made his move now and moves into 3rd
Victory for Crescenzo D'Amore! Thats actually a continental hattrick for the Sony Ericsson team - as when known as Designa Kokken conesecutive season ending wins at the Chrono des Herbiers and Japan Cup had led them to a dramatic promotion back in the end of 2008. 3 in a row - will it be 4 tomorrow?
Delage comes through for 2nd ahead of surprise package Iannetti. Mattias Westling is 4th while Cadel Evans of all people finishes 5th
