In 2008, Fabiana Lupellini, the overall winner of the Giro Rosa, was the last Italian to wear the Giro Rosa leader's jersey. Twelve years later, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) put the 28-year-old all-rounder in the pink jersey by winning the team time trial in the opening race.

Longo Borghini is Trek-Segafredo's leader in the nine-day Italian stage race, but the team did not clearly plan for her to finish first in the TTT and become race leader.

"It just happened," Longo Borghini said. 'In the end it's a team effort, so it doesn't really matter who crosses the finish line first. I was last to pull. Ellen [van Dijk] swept by and I went through the roundabout and found myself in the lead. You could say that getting the maglia rosa on the first day is not ideal, but I'm not the kind of rider who wins a lot, so I can enjoy the win and it feels really good."

At the 2017 Giro Rosa, Longo Borghini was second overall, only beaten by Anna van der Breggen. The mountain routes of the past two years were not in her favor, but both times she finished in the top 10, just off the podium.

This year's route is less mountainous and not for climbing specialists. A route that skips the Alps and instead traverses the Apennines with many short climbs would certainly give Longo Borghini a chance for a higher overall finish, and the TTT win was a big step in that direction.

"This stage suited the team very well, so we were aiming for it," said Longo Borghini, emphasizing the value of his victory.

"It's a team win and I wish I could share the maglia rosa with my five teammates. Without them we could not have done this.

"It still doesn't feel real, but for me it's an emotional moment. It's the first time I've put my sleeves on this pink jersey and the first time I've been in such a great environment. I'm really, really happy. I want to thank the whole Trek-Segafredo team and everyone who was near me during my confinement. Now I have to take it one day at a time and keep my feet on the ground."

The Trek-Segafredo team now has the heavy responsibility of protecting the race lead. The next stage, stage 2, is not easy to control, with a hilly finish that includes a gravel road climb.

However, Longo Borghini has a strong team to support her. In particular, UCI Women's World Tour leader Lizzie Deignan will be eager to reward Longo Borghini for the great teamwork she showed in La Course, as will French champion Audrey Cordon-Lago, Dutch ruler Ellen van Dijk, and American duo of Taylor Wiles and Ruth Winder, who shared victory in the stage TTT, are also expected to support Longo Borghini.