Austrian Lukas Postlberger won the
first stage of the 2017 Giro d'Italia on Friday, a 206km ride
from Alghero to Olbia in Sardinia.
The victory means he is the first person to wear the pink
leader jersey in the 100th edition of the world's second-biggest
stage race.
The Giro was hit by a pre-race doping case when two riders
from the Bardiani team failed a UCI drugs test.
The pair, Nicola Ruffoni and Stefano Pirazzi, were dropped by
the team.
The Giro runs until May 28.
The 3,572km course includes six mountain top finishes and two
testing time trials, Colombian climbing ace and 2014 winner
Nairo Quintana goes into the race as clear favourite but last
year's winner Vincenzo 'the Shark' Nibali, who also won in 2013,
is fancied to retain his crown.
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