Team Argos-Shimano rider Kirsten Wild (NED) has won the first stage of the eight-day Giro d’Italia Femminile (2.1) where she is riding for the Netherlands. Wild was quickest at the finish of the 124.3km stage between Giovinazzo – Margherita de Savioa, outpacing World and Olympic champion Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv Giant). Back in April she broke her shoulder during the Omloop van Borsele and finally returned to racing earlier this month. Today’s performance shows she’s already back to her winning ways. She is riding the stage race in her national colours along with Team Argos-Shimano teammates Amy Pieters (NED) and Willeke Knol (NED). This is Team Argos-Shimano’s second big win in two days after Marcel Kittel’s (GER) victorious start to the Tour de France in Corsica yesterday. Following the stage, Wild said: „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.“ Kirsten now leads the points competition in Italy but Vos will wear the leaders yellow jersey thanks to bonus seconds she picked up during the stage.