The Slipstream-Chipotle team vaulted onto the world stage today by winning the first stage of their first ever Grand Tour event.

Christian Vandevelde and four of his teammates completed the 23.6 km time trial course in the shortest time to put Vandevelde in the pink leader’s jersey. Team CSC took second at 6 seconds behind while Team High Road took 3rd.

Vandevelde is the first American to wear the leader’s jersey at the Giro since Andy Hampsten won the race 20 years ago.

Team Results:

1 Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30                                          26.32 (53.366 km/h)
2 Team CSC                                                                       0.06
3 High Road                                                                      0.07
4 Liquigas                                                                       0.09
5 Barloworld                                                                     0.14
6 LPR Brakes - Ballan                                                            0.28
7 Astana                                                                         0.29
8 Tinkoff Credit Systems                                                         0.33
9 Quick Step                                                                     0.42

10 Lampre                                                                        0.45

General Classification:

1 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30              26.32
2 David Zabriskie (USA) Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30
3 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30
4 Julian Dean (NZl) Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30
5 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30
6 Michael Blaudzun (Den) Team CSC                                                0.06
7 Nicki Sørensen (Den) Team CSC
8 Bradley McGee (Aus) Team CSC
9 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC
10 Jason McCartney (USA) Team CSC

All in all, not a bad day for American racers. Two Americans in the Top 3 and 3 in the Top 10.