Team Sky kept themselves out of trouble on what proved to be a testing first day in the saddle at the Tirreno-Adriatico.

Wintery conditions in Tuscany made for some slippery road surfaces and several crashes hampered the peloton's progress as they made their way from Livorno to Rosignano Solvay.

Team Sky positioned themselves safely at the head of the peloton for much of the day but were unable to catch a late four-man breakaway as Linus Gerdemann sprinted to victory at the line.

The Milram rider attacked from the back of that quartet on the closing straight to pip Caisse d'Epargne's Pablo Lastras by a hair's breadth at the line.

Saxo Bank's Matti Breschel took third place on a day where the big-name sprinters were conspicuous by their absence.

Dmytro Grabovskyy (ISD) was the first rider to break free of the peloton and he had enjoyed a lead of over five minutes at one stage before eventually being reeled back in by Team Sky at around 7km to go.

Further attacks came thick and fast and Luca Paolini (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo), Breschel, Gerdemann and Pablo Lastras eventually made theirs stick 2km further down the road.

The quartet appeared to have been caught on the final corner but confusion reigned in the chase pack as Paolini broke for the line.

Breschel quickly took the Italian's wheel but the duo ran out of steam in the closing metres, allowing Gerdemann to take full advantage ahead of the disappointed Lastras.

Edvald Boasson Hagen led Team Sky home in 16th position and sits just six seconds off the pace ahead of stage two. Thomas Löfkvist and Juan Antonio Flecha both finished another four seconds behind in 30th and 39th respectively.

Barry upbeat

Michael Barry spent the day looking out for Boasson Hagen, Löfkvist and Juan Antonio Flecha and was happy to see his team-mates make it across the line easily in touch of the leaders.

"The day went well, all things considered. We were at the front as a team during much of the stage, which was important as it was quite sketchy on the wet roads.

"It was far less dangerous at the front of the group and it allowed us to react quickly to any attacks.

"We rode to help Edvald out for the sprint but on the last climb a group jumped away and we were unable to chase effectively as the route in was dangerous with a fast decent and tight corners on slick roads.

"It was chaotic as we neared the finish so the team never had a chance to move back up to the front without taking risks. At that point it was important Tommy, Edvald and Flecha weren't behind any time splits. "

"Thursdays stage is much harder and we will helping Tommy, Edvald and Flecha again for the finale, as it should be selective.

"The three of them have a very good shot at doing well in the overall classification so we will protect them and work for them throughout the week."