Primoz Roglic secures Pink Jersey in the opening Time Trial in Bologna

Roglic nineteen seconds faster than closest rival Simon Yates second and Vincenzo Nibali third

The opening stage was a 8 km individual time trial around Bologna for 6 km which moved on to a tough finish atop the climb of San Luca, which at 2.1 km long had a 9.7 percent average gradient with stretches at 10-12 percent, and peaking at 16 percent with around 1km to go.

The race favorites decided to start early due to the threat of rain later on, which didn't emerge. 

The opening stage is a 8 km individual time trial around Bologna for 6 km and moves on to a tough finish atop the climb of San Luca, which is 2.1 km at a 9.7 percent average gradient with stretches at 10-12 percent, and peaking at 16 percent with around 1km to go was firt to leave and set a time of 13:22.

Miguel Angel López (AST) was next and just pipped Dumoulin to the line, 100th's of a second faster than Dumoulin.

Vincenzo Nibali was next and went faster in a time of 13m 17s, but it was in-form Primož Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) who set the fastest of 12m 54s.

The only person who didn't set of early was Simoln Yates, who put in a good performance. It was apparent in the last km he wouldn't beat Roglic, but never the less, finished second with a time of 13m 13s.

Primoz Roglic had to sit in the hot seat for over 3 hours until the final rider finished to be confirmed the race leader and to pull on the first Maglia Rosa jersey.

VIDEO: 2019 Giro d'Italia Stage 1 Highlights

2019 Giro d'Italia Stage 1 Top 10

1 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma 0:12:54 
2 Simon Yates (GBr) Mitchelton-Scott 0:00:19 
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida 0:00:23 
4 Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team 0:00:28 
5 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Sunweb   
6 Rafal Majka (Pol) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:33 
7 Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBr) Team Ineos 0:00:35 
8 Laurens De Plus (Bel) Team Jumbo-Visma   
9 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo 0:00:39 
10 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Bahrain-Merida 0:00:40