Stage 14 at the Giro d’Italia saw the peloton take on the second time trial of the race, with a 31 kilometre route from Castiglione delle Stiviere to Desenzano del Garda on the menu. A more technical opening section with lots of twists and turns then preceded rolling terrain where the riders could gain high speed. Most of the team aimed to get through the stage in a good way, but for Romain Bardet he would go all-in against the clock against the other GC competitors. Leaving the start gate, Bardet set a consistent pace throughout the course, giving everything he could to the finish line. It was a result that leaves him and the team sat in eight place on GC as the race heads to the high mountains for the first time tomorrow and the queen stage.

Bardet expressed: “To be honest I am bit disappointed with today, I had hoped for more. I’ll put this behind me though and I’m really looking forward to starting a new chapter of the Giro tomorrow where we enter the high mountains. There is still a lot to race for in the coming stages and I’m motivated to keep fighting here with the team.”