Archie Ryan passes first test as gaps open at Coppi e Bartali | Video

Archie Ryan has negotiated the opening stage at Coppi e Bartali on a day when plenty of riders lost time as gaps opened (Photo: Dion Kerckhoffs-Cor Vos)

Archie Ryan (EF Education-EasyPost) has passed the first test at Coppi e Bartali on a day when more gaps opened that expected and only a very small bunch arrived at the finish to compete for the stage victory.

The 22-year-old Irishman now moves into his favoured terrain tomorrow, when stage 2 concludes at the top of the 3.3km climb – averaging 6.2 per cent – of Sogliano al Rubicone, on what will be the fifth passage of the ascent.

Today the 109.7km opening stage, which started and finished in Pesaro, featured modest climbing from start to finish. However, the frequency of those ascents - combined with the speed and a disparity between the World Tour teams and many of the other squads in the race - was enough to thin the field right back.

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In the final, the peloton was down to fewer than 60 riders, from 140 starters, with Ryan among the front group and finishing in 30th place, just one second behind stage winner Marco Brenner (Tudor Pro Cycling).

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The 21-year-old German, who jumped straight from the junior ranks to Team DSM in 2021, attacked solo with 4km to go. He had the legs, just about, to take his first pro win just ahead of Matteo Malucelli (JCL Team UKYO), Jenno Berckmoes (Lotto Dstny) and Koen Bouwman (Visma-Lease a Bike).

Whether Ryan can compete for a stage win - and even the general classification - and the identity and level of his nearest rivals, will become clear tomorrow.

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