For a team focused on marginal gains, Ineos Grenadiers made an unusual blunder in the sport's biggest race when Geraint Thomas started the Tour de France's opening time trial wearing a gilet.

The 2018 Tour de France winner, 18 seconds ahead of defending champion Tadey Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), blamed himself more for cornering timidity than aerodynamic disadvantage in the first half of the 13-km test in Copenhagen. A light rain continued to fall throughout the stage, but it lightened just after the start.

"That was the worst first half of any time trial I've ever done," Thomas said honestly after the race. "I wanted to start with pretty modest power. ..... .everyone told me to be conservative in the corners because we had three weeks to go.

"Then I couldn't get it out of my head. The first few corners I was cornering like my wife (she hasn't ridden a bike in 12 years). Then I realized I was wearing a gilet. I didn't notice because it was zipped up and snug."

Thomas did not blame Soignier, who supported him at the start, for not noticing.

"When I passed the first time check and was 18 seconds behind, I pulled the pin and thought, screw it, just go. I did that and it worked. But the cornering was terrible. I was thinking too much. The best thing to do in the wet is to go with the flow and smooth out the speed. I didn't flow well

"It's frustrating because I could have done better. My legs were good and my body was warm. Maybe the other racers would have been cold."

Geraint Thomas is one of the favorites to win this year's Tour de France overall. Watch a video analysis of the main contenders by CyclingNews

Thomas has improved in recent weeks, and although he was overshadowed by the extremely dominant performance of heavy favorite Pogacar on the first stage, he enters this year's Tour de France as a candidate for the yellow jersey. He heads into this year's Tour de France as a candidate for the yellow jersey.

"He's a phenomenon," Thomas said of Pogacar's first stage result, finishing ahead of Filippo Ganna and just two seconds behind Wout Van Aert. He's one of those guys who can do it all, so I'm not surprised, to be honest. I knew he would come out on top."

Tomas is now in the middle of the Ineos GC battle, with Adam Yates two seconds back and Lampert 23 seconds behind. Daniel Martinez, meanwhile, finished today's race in 33rd place.

Ineos Grenadier will have three leaders in the race, with three riders potentially competing for the yellow jersey.

Today's result may be an impressive statement of intent by Pogacar, but the difference will not be of great tactical significance in the coming weeks.

"By Paris, hopefully we won't be a few seconds behind," Thomas said.

"There's usually a big gap, so it won't be a big gap today," Thomas said.

As for tomorrow's stage, Thomas cautioned that it could be a turbulent day. He said, "I haven't looked at the weather forecast, but whatever happens it's going to be a stressful day. I haven't looked at the weather forecast, but I know it's going to be a stressful day no matter what happens, especially if it rains again or if the wind blows. It's going to be exciting to watch