Discovery Channel cyclist Paolo Savoldelli kept himself in the pink leader's jersey Saturday by winning the 3.8-mile prologue in the Giro d'Italia bicycle race.
The Italian cyclist on the US-based pro team won the three-week bike race around Italy last year for the second time. His 11-second win Saturday gives him the stage and general classification lead in the race that ends May 28.
Finishing second was Australian Bradley McGee of Française des Jeux; third was Spaniard Jose Gutierrez of the Phonak team, 13 seconds behind.
The favorite to win in 2006, Ivan Basso of Team CSC, finished in 13th place, 23 seconds behind Savoldelli. The highest finishing American, Tom Danielson of Discovery, finished in 12th place, 21 seconds back. Another US cyclist, Bobby Julich (Team CSC), finished 66th, 45 seconds behind.
Savoldelli has said he wants to win the Giro again this year. His teammate Danielson said he'd like to win also, but only if Savoldelli falters.
The first four days of the 89th annual “bike race around Italy” is being staged in Belgium to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the deaths of Italians in a coal mine disaster.
That's why Saturday prologue took place in Seraing, Belgium. Stage 2, on Sunday, is a mostly flat 122-mile route from Mons to Charleroi Marcinelle.
More results at CyclingNews. Sunday's Giro stage is scheduled for broadcast on OLN from 5 to 7 p.m. (ET).
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