Pinotti in pink

The American-based team of Britain's Mark Cavendish completed the 19.3-kilometre course in a time of 20 minutes and 59 seconds to win the Giro curtain raiser in sunny north Italy. It was HTC's second win in three years in the Giro TTT.

Australia's Robbie McEwen led his RadioShack team over the line to take second place, 10 seconds slower than HTC.

Belgian outfit Omega Pharma-Lotto, the first team down the start ramp at Venaria Reale, finished in third place, 22 seconds down. Coming home in exactly the same time was the Liquigas team of Italian race favourite Vincenzo Nibali.

The Saxo Bank Sunguard team of Spain's Alberto Contador, the controversial three-time Tour de France winner, could only set the eighth best time, half a minute in arrears.

Team Sky was seven seconds slower in ninth position, Giro debutants Vacansoleil took tenth and Garmin-Cervelo were solid for fifth.

Two-time Giro stage winner Pinotti will trade in his green national time trial champion jersey for the maglia rosa by dint of leading his team over the finish line. The 35-year-old Italian was one of just five HTC riders - including Cavendish - to complete the course together - the minimum required to set a valid time.

RadioShack veteran McEwen therefore lies in sixth place in the GC, 10 seconds down on his sprinting rival Cavendish, setting the tone perfectly for Sunday's second stage, a 244km flat ride from Alba to Parma that should culminate in a bunch sprint.