Filippo Ganna won the opening stage of the Giro d'Italia, while Team INEOS colleague Geraint Thomas claimed an early lead over his general classification rivals. 

INEOS had endured a frustrating Tour de France as reigning champion Egan Bernal withdrew before the end having fallen well off the pace, with Richard Carapaz then being pipped in the race for the King of the Mountains jersey. 

However, the British-based team enjoyed a better first day in Italy as Ganna claimed the maglia rosa after the 15.1-kilometre individual time trial. 

The home hope, who won the individual time trial at the world championships last week, finished in 15 minutes and 24 seconds, beating nearest challenger Joao Almeida by 22 seconds. 

Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France champion who did not race for this year's yellow jersey, is fourth after the first day, well ahead of fellow GC hopefuls Simon Yates and Vincenzo Nibali.