Portugal Colonial - Pedersen wins opening stage of Giro d'Italia

Pedersen was beautifully led out before resisting a late surge from Belgian Visma rider Wout van Aert. Primoz Roglic, the overall favourite to win the 21-day race, finished on the same time in a small bunch just behind.

"I knew he (Van Aert) was behind me so you never know if you can win until the line," said Pedersen.

"The team set it up. We rode hard and then got ahead for the finale."

Spanish climber Mikel Landa was one of five victims of a nasty crash on a tight corner 5km from the finish line as the 184 riders began their epic 21-day 3,400km slog to the Vatican in Rome.

Saturday's stage 2 is a 13.7km individual time trial on the streets of the Albanian capital with a short 1.3km climb, with the peculiarity of a U-turn at the top, while Sunday is a flat run around Valona.

The final week of the Giro will be decisive with stage 20, which ends with a dreadful climb up the Colle delle Finestre to the Sestriere ski resort, the moment when the winner is likely to emerge.

A.Motta--PC