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RACE REPORTS: GIRO D'ITALIA STAGE 1: WIGGINS IN PINK
Road Bike Action & AFP
May 8, 2010
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(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Britain's three-time Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins got Team Sky's Grand Tour debut off to the perfect start by winning the first stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday. Wiggins, racing at an average speed of almost 49kph, completed the 8.4km against-the-clock circuit in Amsterdam two seconds ahead of American Brent Bookwalter to take the race leader's pink jersey.
 American Brent Bookwalter surprised many with his second place finish (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
"I was in my own world - that's how I always do these things," said Wiggins of his focused approach to the stage. "I was oblivious to anyone else and just did my own race. It was hard but I just went for it, especially in the corners. If you want to win it, you've got to commit 100 percent, like a sprinter when they go for a sprint."
 Evans got his Giro off to a good start with a third place finish (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
 Basso's Giro is off to a rocky start with a 37th place finish (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
On a landmark day for Team Sky sprinter Greg Henderson also finished in the top 10 while Dario Cioni underlined his good form with a top-20 placing. There are two more Giro stages in the Netherlands before the race, the season's first on the Grand Tour, moves to Italy.
Giro d Italia, Stage 1: Amsterdam 8.4km
1. Bradley Wiggins (GBr/Sky) 10:18
2. Brent Bookwalter (USA/BMC) @. 02
3. Cadel Evans (Aus/BMC) @ s.t.
4. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz/Astana) @ .05
5. Greg Henderson (NZl/Sky) @ s.t.
6. Richie Porte (Aus/Saxo Bank)
7. David Millar (GBr/Garmin-Transitions) @ .06
8. Gustav Larsson (Swe/Saxo Bank) @ .07
9. Jos Van Emden (Ned/Rabobank) @ .09
10. Marco Pinotti (Ita/HTC-Columbia) @ s.t.
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