The “Race between the two Seas” got underway on Monday afternoon with the traditional ten kilometre long time trial in Lido di Camaiore, although for the 2024 edition of the race the route was slightly altered with a different start and finish point. Casper van Uden set an early benchmark time for the team, but all eyes were on the final few starters with the view of seeing where Max Poole and Romain Bardet would shape up against the other GC riders. Poole rode a very consistent and measured effort around the course, stopping the clock in a provisional sixth place with a time of 11 minutes and 50 seconds while Bardet wasn’t too far behind, clocking an effort of 11 minutes and 58 seconds. It was a result that saw Poole top the timing sheets for the team come the end of the day in 13th place.
Speaking at the finish Poole said: “I think I can be quite happy with my ride knowing the time in the end. The legs didn’t feel too great but I managed to keep things going until the line. We had a pacing plan from the team and I just ticked off the kilometres; counting down from ten and so on. Then coming into the last 500 metres there were the last few turns and an all out effort to the line. With the result in the end I think it’s a nice start for us.”