Eurosport analysts pinpoint the reason for Milan's winless opening weekend: 'That loss is enormous'

The opening weekend of the Giro d'Italia gave the sprinters two opportunities to show their speed. Both times, it was the unlikely figure of Paul Magnier who raised his arms for Soudal Quick-Step. Jonathan Milan was the firm favourite on each occasion, but ultimately couldn't stamp his authority on either stage. According to Eurosport's Dutch-speaking Kop over Kop podcast, it is a pattern that has come to define Lidl-Trek's whole season.

Two sprints, two wins for Magnier. Anyone who had predicted that beforehand would have been met with raised eyebrows. Yet the young French sprinter has emerged as an absolute standout at this Giro. A large share of the credit must also go to his Soudal Quick-Step teammates, whose lead-out was flawlessly executed on both occasions.

The same could not be said for hot favourite Milan. Lidl-Trek's usually well-oiled lead-out train had a difficult opening weekend, despite their sprinter finishing fourth and second. Eurosport commentator Bobbie Traksel noted that Lidl-Trek have been struggling all season, and that those struggles are now making themselves felt at the Giro.

"Things are simply not going well at that team right now. In budget terms, they're the second or third team in the peloton, and their last stage win was at Tirreno-Adriatico." Mads Pedersen had a quiet spring, though according to Traksel there was a good reason for that, and Mattias Skjelmose is not being criticised either after a strong Ardennes run.

It is the lead-out train in particular that has lost its dominance, and that comes down to some key personnel being missing. "The loss of Edward Theuns, who is at home with a young child, and the departed Jasper Stuyven is enormous for that team." With a strong development squad and emerging talents like Albert Withen Philipsen, however, there is no reason for panic just yet.

"But they really do need to look at what has gone wrong. A rider like [Mathias] Vacek who isn't performing, and Thibau Nys who is out again. It does need to be looked into," said Traksel. Eurosport colleague Jeroen Vanbelleghem also sees Lidl-Trek struggling to build a proper lead-out for Milan, which is why the Italian has so far gone without a win.

"It's always difficult for him to do it on his own. He needs that train. At Magnier's team that train is running very smoothly, and that's what's bringing them victories." Fortunately for the Italian and his team, there are still plenty of opportunities for revenge at this Giro. He may get a chance to sprint as early as Tuesday, with another opportunity on Thursday in Naples.