Sir Bradley Wiggins was left to rue his luck after dropping from second to sixth after the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia.
The Tour de France winner and pre-race favourite was caught in a split in the bunch following a crash in front of him and crossed the line 17 seconds behind his rivals on the soaking wet finish in Serra San Bruno.
But team principal Sir Dave Brailsford was not too concerned about the outcome, even though he sought for the race jury to adjust times because the incident occurred inside the last three kilometres.
“It’s one of those races where you just have to pay attention all the time," he said.
"You can gain hard-earned seconds here and there and then you can lose time very quickly.
“Bradley’s in great shape mentally and physically. Ultimately this first week is all about staying in contention and then this race will be won and lost in the time trials and the high mountains.”
© Sportsbeat 2013