Team time trial to shake up classification

Today's flat fifth stage 38 km team time trial between Piacenza and Cremona should shake up the general classification in the Giro d'Italia. It's the first such event in the Giro since 1989, and unlike the Tour's team time trials in recent years, it will be scored on actual time. But, given the non-technical nature of the parcours, a maximum altitude difference of just 18 metres, and a likely tailwind, the times for the 38 km should not be too far apart.

Still, it's a race that will suit the powerhouse squads of Team CSC (Basso), T-Mobile (Gonchar, Rogers, Ullrich), and Discovery Channel (Savoldelli, Danielson), who have solid reputations in this discipline. Danilo di Luca's Liquigas squad should be able to stay close to the winning time, while Stefan Schumacher's Gerolsteiner, Damiano Cunego's Lampre-Fondital, Gilberto Simoni's Saunier Duval and Jose Rujano's Selle Italia may lose a little more. It's a big chance for riders like Basso and Savoldelli to gain some time on their opponents, who may have more of an edge in the mountains.