Savoldelli back in pink

ByEurosport

Published 06/05/2006 at 16:01 GMT

Paolo Savoldelli shattered Bradley McGee's lead time by 11 seconds to win a time-trial and reclaim his pink jersey at the opening stage of the Giro D'Italia on Saturday. The 2005 and 2002 Tour of Italy winner raced last to roar into the early lead.

CYCLING 2006 Giro d'Italia Paolo Savoldelli Discovery channel pink kiss jersey

Image credit: Reuters

Phonak's Jose Gutierrez Cataluna rounded out the podium behind the Discovery leader, and the Australian 2004 prologue winner.

Savoldelli blazed through the streets of Seraing, Belgium in a time of seven minutes and 50 seconds as the last of 198 riders.

The defending Giro champion will wear the Pink leader's jersey as he celebrates his 33rd birthday during Sunday's 203km second stage from Mons to Chareleroi Marcinelle.

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CYCLING 2006 Giro d'Italia Seraing Paolo Savoldelli Discovery

Image credit: dpa

"It's a good way to start the Giro and a good way to celebrate my birthday," Savoldelli told reporters.

"Courses like this suit me but I'm still a bit surprised to have won. There weren't many corners and I made the difference on the climb in the middle."

"My team told me I was 10 seconds up at the top but I didn't really believe them and only knew I'd won after I'd crossed the line," added the Italian.

The Italian finished 4th in last year's prologue, then won the 11th stage of the 2005 edition to help him finish in the pink jersey.

Most of the principal contenders finished in the top-20 as Danilo Di Luca took 11th, Davide Rebellin 10th, Ivan Basso 13th, Damiano Cunego 15th, and Gilberto Simoni 16th.

Savoldelli started the year in prime form, winning the prologue at last week's Tour de Romandie.

He is trying to become the ninth rider to win the Tour of Italy three or more times in the 97 year history of the race.

Follow full LIVE coverage of the Giro for the next three weeks on www.eurosport.com continuing tomorrow at noon with stage two from Mons to Chareleroi Marcinelle.