The Leopard Trek team led the peloton across the finish line on a neutralised stage four of the Giro d'Italia as the race paid homage to Belgian Wouter Weylandt, who died in a crash on Monday.
With the pace deliberately slow and the stage results not counting, team after team took over at the head of the pack during the 216 kilometre ride from Quarto dei Mille to Livorno.
Weylandt's eight remaining Leopard Trek team-mates, accompanied by the Belgian's close friend Tyler Farrar of the United States, moved to the front of the bunch with four kilometres to go and crossed the finish line together.
David Millar will remain race leader when competition proper is set to get underway again on Wednesday's fifth stage.
'This is not a day for fighting for positions,' pink jersey holder David Millar explained before the start.
Earlier, Leopard Trek announced they would continue to take part in the Giro after suggestions they would withdraw.
The team's general manager Brian Nygaard said: 'We will start Tuesday out of respect for the family Weylandt and also to share our grief with the world of cycling.
'The boys were totally defeated. If there is anyone who did not want to continue, we accept that.'
A moment's silence was observed at the start of the stage and a military band played a bugle tribute to Weylandt, before the peloton set off.
