Robbie Hunter ended 1min 57sec down on the leader after Wednesday’s first stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico cycle tour in Italy.

The South African had to abandon last week’s Tour of Murcia in Spain when it was thought his wife was about to give birth to the couple’s second child.

It was inopportune timing as Hunter was in rip-roaring form, having won the first two stages of the event.

On Wednesday the Garmin-Transition rider placed 146th as Team Milra’s Linus Gerdeman won the 148-kilometre stage between Livorno and Rosignano Solvay in 3hr 36min 15sec.

Riders were plagued by an ice-cold rain throughout the stage and will be hoping Thursday’s second stage of 165km in the Montecatini Terme region has better conditions.