Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) wins the first stage of the Giro d'Italia from Durrës to Tirana (160km).

Moniquet, Tarozzi, Verre, Van Der Hoorn and Tonelli attack from the first kilometers, but the peloton keeps their advantage under control. Tarozzi wins the first Red Bull Km of the race.

Along the first passage on the Surrel climb, the peloton catches up with the attackers and, under the pace imposed by Lidl-Trek, Bennet, Kooij , Magnier and Fretin break away.

In the second passage Groves and Kanter, the last remaining sprinters, also break away. Ciccone's work puts many men in difficulty and breaks up the main group, Arensman , Gee and Martinez also lose a few meters.

On the final descent, Landa fell at high speed on the side of the road and retired from the Giro.

The final sprint, between about thirty men, is taken in the lead by the Lidl men: Pedersen starts, Van Aert takes his wheel, but is unable to overtake him. Third place for Aular .

ORDER OF ARRIVAL:

1 Pedersen Mads Lidl-Trek 180 03:36:24

2 van Aert Wout Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 00

3 Aular Orluis Movistar Team + 00

4 Busatto Francesco Intermarché-Wanty + 00

5 Pidcock Tom Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team + 00

6 Ulissi Diego XDS Astana Team + 00

7 Carapaz Richard EF Education-EasyPost + 00

8 Poole Max Team Picnic PostNL + 00

9 Conci Nicola XDS Astana Team + 00

10 Piganzoli Davide Team Polti VisitMalta