The first pink jersey of the Giro Donne, which started from Cagliari, is an American: Kristen Faulkner (Bikeexcange) won the time trial in the 4.7 km circuit along the Poetto beach, beaten by strong gusts of wind and with a temperature above 30 degrees.
The US cyclist imposed herself with a time of 5'43 '' and for the following 90 'none of her was able to do better than her.
The second place went to her teammate Georgia Baker, at 3 '' 68, while the third place went to the world champion Elisa Balsamo, at 5 '' 50.
Among the other blue, Elisa Longo Borghini finished fifth, with a 9''15 delay that she could already file in the next two stages in Sardinia.
After Cagliari we continue along the east coast, tomorrow with an undulating stage of 106.6 km from Villasimius (South Sardinia) to Tortolì (Nuoro).
Saturday stage for sprinters 113.4 km long from Dorgali (Nuoro) to Olbia.
On Sunday there will be the first rest and the transfer to the Peninsula: the stages of Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto will award the definitive pink jersey.
Arrival on 10 July in Padua.