Filippo Ganna led Netcompany-Ineos to a second-place finish in the Tour de France team time trial on the opening stage, coming within eight seconds of the stage win.
What happened?
The team's plan was almost perfectly executed, except for a puncture by Kévin Vauquelin with 7km remaining of the 19.6km course.
Ganna took on the baton himself, finishing the stage just eight seconds behind the winners, Jonas Vingegaard and Visma-Lease a Bike.
Why it matters for Filippo Ganna
Ganna's performance earned him a second-place ranking, just eight seconds behind the leader Vingegaard, with Tobias Foss in ninth place at 38 seconds.
Netcompany-Ineos director of racing Geraint Thomas said the team improvised well after Vauquelin's puncture, with Ganna emptying the tank to finish the stage.
What comes next?
The team plans to treat the race like "21 one-day races", with Vauquelin focusing on stage wins rather than the general classification.
Egan Bernal was a surprise recipient of the green jersey, having been the fastest to the first time check 5km into the stage.
Bernal said the team's objective was to ride as fast as possible for the stage, and he was pleased with the result despite not winning.
Ganna's performance was a key factor in the team's strong start to the Tour de France, and he will look to build on this in the coming stages.
The team's ability to adapt to unexpected setbacks, such as Vauquelin's puncture, will be crucial in the days ahead.
Netcompany-Ineos will look to continue their strong form in the next stage, with Ganna and Bernal likely to play important roles.
The Tour de France is known for its unpredictability, and Netcompany-Ineos will need to be prepared for anything that comes their way.
Ganna's experience and skill will be vital in helping the team navigate the challenges of the Tour de France.
The next stage will be a key test for Netcompany-Ineos, and Ganna will be looking to make a strong impact.