Intro:

Orica Green-Edge won the Giro d'Italia's opening team time trial on Saturday (9 May) for the second year in a row, with Simon Gerrans taking the overall leader's pink jersey.

Script:

The Giro d'Italia got underway Saturday with stage one a 17.6 km long team time-trial course running from San Lorenzo al Mare to San Remo.

Orica Green-Edge went into the stage as the overwhelming favourite to secure victory and completed the course in a time of 19 minutes, 26 seconds.

The Tinkoff-Saxo team of two-time Tour de France champions Alberto Contador came in second, seven seconds behind leaders Orica and six ahead of third place Astana.

Team Sky on the other hand suffered a disappointing day and finished ninth, 27 seconds behind Orica.

The result means that Richie Porte lost time on Contador and other pre-race favourites such as Astana's Fabio Aru.

Rigoberto Uran of Etixx-Quick-Step meanwhile finished the day in fourth.

The 98th Giro finishes in Milan on 31st May.