Stage 1 wrap-up: Savoldelli with a great start

Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel)

Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) (Image credit: Luc Claessen)

Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) has started his 2006 Giro campaign in the best possible way, winning the first stage in Seraing by a very healthy 11 seconds from Bradley McGee (Française des Jeux). The Italian two-time Giro winner averaged 47.49 km/h over the testing 6.2 km parcours, and was the only ride to go under eight minutes. In third place was José E. Gutierrez Cataluna (Phonak), who was 13 seconds down.