Sky, Giro d'Italia 2012, stage 4 TTT

Sky's result in the Giro d'Italia team time trial in Verona yesterday was less than the team's riders and staff had hoped. Ahead of the race, they talked about the stage as one it could win along with the opening time trial and sprints.

"We'll try for the sprints," said Mark Cavendish ahead of the Giro, "but we have a prologue Geraint [Thomas] can win, we have a team time trial we can win. Across the board, we have a strong team."

Thomas nearly ticked off the opening time trial box, coming in just nine seconds slower than Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing), and Cavendish delivered with a sprint win on day two. The time trial, coming in at ninth, though, was off target for a team steeped in talent.

The damage? A half-minute loss to winners Garmin-Barracuda and a chance at the pink jersey for Thomas. He started the day in second overall only nine seconds behind leader Phinney, but ended it in seventh, 21 seconds back on Garmin's Ramunas Navardauskas.

"Not spectacular, obviously by the time," team coach, Bobby Julich told Cycling Weekly of the team's performance.

The team featured Thomas and Pete Kennaugh, who helped win the Worlds team pursuit gold medal last month. It lacked Ben Swift, winner of scratch world title, who crashed in training ahead of the Giro.

"Having Jez [Jeremy Hunt] come in so close, last minute. He wasn't up to snuff, but the rest of the team, really solid," Julich explained.

"It was tough losing that ninth guy so early, that gives the other guys a bigger work load and they have to make up for that."

The television feed focused on BMC Racing, who rode to protect Phinney's lead. Asked when Hunt lost ground with his companions, Julich responded, "pretty early. Really early, actually."

Motormen Bernhard Eisel and Ian Stannard did long turns near the final of the 33.2 kilometres. Eisel first at four kilometres out and Stannard next at three kilometres out, just as the course wove into Verona's historic centre.

Julich said there was couple of minor mistakes with pulling off in the rotation and one near crash. Some riders, he said, had to sit on longer when going through "bad patches".

He praised the work of Cavendish, who crashed in the final 250 metres on Monday's stage.

"We did the team time trailing yesterday, and you wouldn't have even known he crashed until you looked down at him with all the bandages because he hasn't said a word," added Julich. "He loves doing these things, he's totally switched on, he's the rider/coach on the road for these guys."

Cavendish will have a chance to reverse Sky's fortunes today, a flat run to Fano along the country's east coast.

Giro d'Italia 2012: Latest news

Phinney's terrible day sees Giro lead slip away

Teams ready for Giro's team time trial

Phinney given all-clear after Giro crash

Ferrari should be ashamed of Giro sprint, says Cavendish

Giro remembers Wouter Weylandt

Cavendish and Thomas a winning combo, says Brailsford

Geraint Thomas narrowly misses out on Giro lead

Phinney realises Giro dream

Giro d'Italia 2012: Live coverage

Giro d'Italia 2012 live text coverage schedule

Giro d'Italia 2012: Stage reports

Stage four: Garmin-Barracuda win TTT to take lead

Stage three: Goss wins in Horsens as Cavendish and Phinney crash

Stage two: Cavendish wins in Herning

Stage one: Phinney wins time trial

Giro d'Italia 2012: Photo galleries

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one photo gallery

Giro d'Italia 2012: Teams and riders

Giro d'Italia 2012 start list

Giro d'Italia 2012: TV guide

Giro d'Italia 2012: British Eurosport TV schedule

Related links

Giro d'Italia 2012: The Big Preview

Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia section

Giro d'Italia 2012: Older news items

Thomas and Phinney talk Giro d'Italia time trial

Kennaugh enters Giro with least amount of racing miles

Cavendish faces first Grand Tour as World Champ and father

Frank Schleck's last minute Giro adventure

Swift out of Giro after training crash

Giro d'Italia 2012: Who will win?

Sky to battle for Giro's team time trial

Hesjedal aims for Giro win

Giro d'Italia 2012: Start list

Cavendish, Thomas, Kennaugh, Swift and Stannard for Giro

Giro d'Italia 2012: Jerseys unveiled

Giro d'Italia organiser announces wildcard teams for 2012

Giro d'Italia 2012 route revealed

 

 

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.