Overview

• Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) won the 160km opening stage of the Giro d’Italia in Tirana, Albania, becoming the first Dane to wear the maglia rosa.
• Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) finished second in a tightly contested sprint, with Orluis Aular (Movistar) securing third place.
• Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step) was forced to abandon the race after a crash in the final 5km, ending his Giro hopes.
• Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers) and Derek Gee (Israel Premier-Tech) lost significant time, dampening their general classification prospects.
• Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) crashed early but escaped unhurt, finishing alongside Primož Roglič in the main pack.