• Giro d'Italia, Stage Two

Sky & Wiggins build early Giro advantage

Bradley Wiggins is in control at the Giro d'Italia after Team Sky's time trial success © AP

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Team Sky exhibited their usual brilliance in time trials to move into the driving seat after stage two of the Giro d'Italia, boosting Bradley Wiggins' hopes of overall victory.

In Sunday's second stage, a 17.4-kilometre romp between Ischia and Forio, the five-man Sky quartet of Wiggins, Dario Cataldo, Salvatore Puccio, Rigoberto Uran and Sergio Henao crossed the line in 22 minutes and five seconds - nine seconds quicker than their nearest rivals.

That means all five leap to the top of the general classification - with Puccio, a Giro debutant, getting the honour of wearing the pink jersey on Monday after reaching the finish first in Forio.

Movistar were second on the day - aided by Brit Alex Dowsett - while defending champion Ryder Hesjedal's Garmin Sharp squad are 25 seconds behind in seventh.

Former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans lost 37 seconds on Sky and Wiggins, on a day where many of the Brit's main rivals struggled to match Sky's daunting pace. One of those was Vincenzo Nibali, who is now 14 seconds adrift of Wiggins and his crew ahead of the rest of the Grand Tour.

Elsewhere, Mark Cavendish's ownership of the pink jersey ended after a day, with the Manx rider's Pharma Quick-Step squad down in 17th for the stage. He retains the red jersey, however, as overall points leader.

Stage Two, Ischia to Forio
1. Team Sky 0:22:05
2. Movistar Team +09s
3. Astana Pro Team +14
4. Katusha +19
5. Vini Fantini - Selle Italia +22
6. Lampre - Merida +22
7. Garmin Sharp +25
8. Blanco Pro Cycling Team +28
9. Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team +34
10. Cannondale Pro Cycling Team +35

General classification
1. Salvatore Puccio (Ita) Team Sky 3:20:43
2. Bradley Wiggins (UK) Team Sky +0s
3. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky +0
4. Dario Cataldo (Ita) Team Sky +0
5. Rigoberto Uran (Col) Team Sky +0
6. Benat Intxausti (Esp) Movistar +9
7. Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Movistar +9
8. Jose Herrada (Esp) Movistar +9
9. Alex Dowsett (UK) Movistar +9
10. Eros Capecchi (Ita) Movistar +9

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