We can call them transmission tests, skirmishes, preliminary tastings. Fine, I'll go with that. But please, let's not call what Vinge and Pellizza did a show of strength, because to be completely honest it looks more like a show of weakness. Or to put it another way, strength that simply wasn't strong enough.

When two superfavorites of a Grand Tour decide to make a move—if they decide to make a move—they don't waste an opportunity like this to immediately mark their territory, like guard dogs. They collaborated—and they did collaborate, which is even worse—and in the end they played for the stage, gaining just a few seconds, more significant as a message to the peloton than as a classification statement. They were perfectly positioned there, in a chaotic and wet finale that certainly doesn't favor those chasing, yet they managed to get caught. Nothing transcendental, it's not a tragedy, but it's still not a sign of strength. We know there's still the entire Giro ahead, countless kilometers and obstacles remaining, and it's likely that eventually the two will have a quarter-hour advantage. But the fact remains that the first signal shouldn't be taken with triumphalist tones: it looks good for the Giro, because in an opening stage it immediately showcases its best silverware, but in absolute terms it's worth about as much as Japanese gold. It leaves more disappointment than exaltation.

And while I'm at it, just to stir up the ire of the grumpy ones, the great Teddy is an uncomfortable comparison: there's no proof, yet I'd bet my house that in the same situation he wouldn't have gotten caught, not for a second, going on to win the stage, or at least gaining some demonstrative seconds that always boost morale.

Let's be clear: even this final stumble by Vinge and Pellizza shouldn't be overblown, it's not the end of the world. But more than anything, it shouldn't be presented as a show. If we want to call it by its real name, it's a blank shot, lots of noise without hitting any target. Good for stirring interest, but fake as a classification attack.

Are we being too picky? Not really, I wouldn't say so. It's true that in this Giro you have to take what comes your way, what the convent provides, and thank goodness if in the second stage Vinge and Pellizza are moving up front. But that doesn't mean we suddenly become so poor that we take everything at face value. On matters of taste and critical spirit we always have something to say, and above all we still have eyes to see. And to weigh.

So let's put it this way: thank you Vinge and thank you Pellizza for not hiding, for trying, for seizing the opportunity of the first attack. But let's stop here. With this competition, with a UAE practically decimated, the result doesn't match the expectations. To call it what it is, it's a penalty kick shot into the third ring. But penalties shouldn't be wasted.