After scoping out the course in the morning and realizing that the finish line was well fenced off, I stayed put at my spot a little under 700 meters to go. With this sharp left hand turn, I figured I'd have a great vantage.
Lampre was first to roll down the start ramp. They were not expected to pose a threat today.
Hugo Houle led AG2R.
Carlos Betancour.
Androni Gaicattoli.
Astana posted a strong time and became the early race leaders.
Nippo-Vini Fantini.
Trek.
Bardiani CSF.
Philippe Gilbert and BMC.
Left: Brent Bookwalter.
Looking for a solid ride to place GC hopeful Richie Porte in the ranks, Sky fell 14 seconds short of Astana
Left: Porte.
Rigoberto Uran and Etixx-Quick Step. They fell six seconds short of besting the Kazakh team.
Giant Alpecin.
Simon Geschke.
IAM led by Sylvain Chavanel.
Heinrich Haussler.
Movistar's Jesus Herrada.
Dayer Quintana, younger brother of the 2014 Giro winner.
Southeast.
CCC.
Having won the TTT at the 2014 Giro exactly one year ago today, Orica was the team to beat. I didn't have a stopwatch, but you could tell the Australian squad was absolutely flying!
With just six teams left to finish, things were looking good for Orica.
Lotto Jumbo.
Lotto Soudal.
Katusha (and an impressive tan line).
Tinkoff was the only team on the road who looked like they could possibly challenge Orica, but even they were seven seconds too slow.
Cannondale Garmin just didn't quite have it today. Below: Ryder Hesjedal.
Alan Marangoni.
Nate Brown.
FDJ was the only team still on the road and there was no way they were on track to beat Orica! The podium belonged to the Aussie squad!
Simon Gerrans has probably wanted to forget his 2015, which has been plagued by injuries and crashes until recently, but that changed today. As the first rider to cross the finish line, he earned the race leader's maglia rosa.
Team sprinter Michael Matthews received the white jersey as the best young rider.
Orica returned to the stage one last time to be named the best team.
