Team Columbia went out first and finished first in the opening time trial of the Giro d’Italia, with Britain’s Mark Cavendish bagging the pink jersey on Saturday.
Garmin-Slipstream, criticized by rivals for concentrating their preparation on the time trial rather than the three-week race, came in second, while Lance Armstrong’s Astana pulled off a minor surprise by finishing third.
“We are psyched with that. The guys were smooth and strong. Going to be a fun three weeks,” Armstrong told his Twitter feed.
Going first on the 20km course around Venice’s Lido may have been seen as a disadvantage. but America’s Team Columbia surged round and never looked back.
Times were recorded for the fifth-finishing rider in the teams and Columbia managed the flat route in 21 minutes 50 seconds, with Cavendish leading the way.
The 23-year-old from the Isle of Man won the Milan-San Remo in March and again showed his sprinting skills to become the first Briton to wear the pink jersey.
“It just happens that I wear the jersey for the team. Someone had to cross the line first,” Cavendish said after opening the champagne with jersey designers Dolce and Gabbana.
Slightly overcast conditions and a pick-up in the wind affected teams in the middle, while some lost time with lead riders pulling too far ahead of their fifth-placed colleague.
Avoiding the distraction of a panoramic view of the Venice skyline across the lagoon, Armstrong grimaced as he hauled himself over the line after his Astana team had gone out last.
The 37-year-old American, who returned to cycling in January after more than three years in retirement, just recovered from a broken collarbone and lies 15th overall.
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