The GreenEDGE Cycling Team has won the team time trial on the opening stage of the 2012 Tirreno-Adriatico.
A convincing performance by the new Australian team, competing in only their third WorldTour race, saw them finish 17 seconds ahead of a RadioShack-Nisan-Trek squad led by former world time trial champion, Fabian Cancellara.
The well-drilled Australian squad completed the 16.9km course from San Vincenzo to Donoratico in a time of 18:41 to claim their first European win. The team made a dream debut in January by winning the Santos Tour Down Under with Simon Gerrans.
“Today was an absolute dream start,” said Goss. “It was an amazing team effort. We did everything right from start to finish. The team specifically prepared for this stage, and this definitely paid of today.”
Directeur sportif Matt White added: “It was obviously always going to be a big moment for us to take that first win in Europe, and this is an important race. To beat the best teams in the world is a big feat. To win here is huge. It shows we have a well-rounded team. “
Early pacesetters, Garmin Barracuda, were forced to settle for third while Team Sky finished fourth, a further six seconds back. Astana were fifth.
The BMC Racing squad led by defending champion, Cadel Evans, and including last year’s world number one, Philippe Gilbert, finished seventeenth, some 58 seconds behind GreenEDGE.
Tirreno-Adriatico stage one
1) GreenEdge Cycling Team – 18:41
2) RadioShack-Nissan + 17”
3) Garmin-Barracuda
4) Sky Procycling + 23”
5) Astana Pro Team + 30”
