Pöstlberger denies the sprinters to claim first pink jersey in Giro 100

Lukas Pöstlberger (Bora-hansgrohe) caused an opening stage shock on his Giro d’Italia debut as the Austrian rider claimed a surprise win.

Pöstlberger attacked inside the final kilometre and a disorganised peloton failed to react until the Bora-Hansgrohe rider was unassailably clear. It proved a great opening day for the Bora-Hansgrohe team as Italian Cesare Benedetti claimed the early lead in the king of the mountain category after spending all day in a breakaway.

Australia’s Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) was second over the line with Germany’s Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) third.

The early break contained six riders: Mirco Maestri (Bardiani-CSF), Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Hansgrohe), Marcin Bialoblocki (CCC Sprandi Polkowice), Pavel Brutt (Gazprom-Rusvelo), Daniel Teklehaimanot (Dimension Data), and Eugert Zhupa (Wilier Selle Italia).

Maestri was first to be dropped in the 206km stage, and as the peloton ramped up for the sprint, Bialoblocki also went back to the bunch. The peloton caught the remaining four men inside of the final five kilometers.

After a sharp right-hand bend caused chaos with 3km to go, the field split with a small group vying for the sprint at the front. Pöstlberger, 25, drove the pace and got a gap over two Orica-Scott riders after a sharp corner with about 1.8km to go. The Austrian, in his grand tour debut, checked the gap and then put his head down to make the solo move stick. He held off a desperate chasing pack to claim an unexpected victory and the overall lead.

INCREDIBLE!!@Poesti_92 claims an unexpected Stage One victory in his maiden@giroditalia ? #Giro100 pic.twitter.com/Tahf4zT208

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 5 mai 2017

Giro d’Italia 2017 – stage 1 results (Alghero – Olbia):