Team Argos-Shimano's Kirsten Wild won the first stage of the eight-day Giro d'Italia Rosa.
Wild was riding for her homeland of the Netherlands and won the 124.3km stage from Giovinazzo to Margherita de Savioa, ahead of World champion Marianne Vos of Rabobank-Liv Giant.
She said to the Argos Shimano press office: "It is a great feeling to win the first stage of the Giro. It is a big race and confirms that I am back to my old level. Before the start we made a good plan and all the girls worked for me throughout the day. It was very close but luckily I could finish the job.
"When I came to Italy I didn't know how my shape would be after my injury and to win this stage ahead of Vos feels like a relief. This was my first goal after the crash and so it's good to get it under my belt.
"It's been a good weekend for the team, unfortunately I didn't see Marcel's stage win yesterday as we were travelling but it's still inspiring and motivating. Tomorrow will be a bit tougher so we will see how that goes and after that there's one more flat stage were I can sprint again."