The first stage here at Tirreno started up in typical Italian style: slow, relaxed, and with plenty of loud conversation. After about 30 km, a little flurry of attacks launched the long bomb break and the rest of us settled back into cruise mode.

The last time up the small climb on the circuit the schmack went down and racing was full on. Our guys for GC here–Timmy, Dave and Ryder–hung up front.

CJ gave it a nudge in the crazy technical and fast sprint. Until the last corner all was looking good. But with leadout guys coming through like stones, he ended up losing momentum just before the sprint opened up.

Tomorrow looks like another sprint stage and hopefully the rest of us will feel a bit more lively and up for lending a hand in the last few km.

-Will

Slipstream stage 1 results
1. Oscar Freire 4:10′01″ (38 kph)

14. Chris Sutton
63. Ryder Hesjedal
106. Timmy Duggan
114. David Zabriskie
154. Martijn Maaskant
161. Will Frischkorn
162. Julian Dean
165. Magnus Backstedt

Slipstream GC after stage 1
1. Oscar Freire 4:09′51″

17. Chris Sutton
65. Ryder Hesjedal
106. Timmy Duggan
114. David Zabriskie
154. Martijn Maaskant
161. Will Frischkorn
162. Julian Dean
165. Magnus Backstedt