Cycling: Tonkov takes over lead in the Giro

Cycling

Pavel Tonkov threw down the challenge to those intent on preventing him from winning the Giro d'Italia for the second successive year with a dominant performance in the individual time trial that formed yesterday's third stage.

The Russian completed the mostly uphill, 18-kilometre (11.2-mile) dash from Santarcangelo to San Marino in 31min 42sec. His compatriot Eugeni Berzin, the 1994 Giro winner and a time-trial specialist, was second fastest, 21 seconds back.

That set up what is likely to be an ongoing duel throughout the 22-stage event, with Berzin just one second behind Tonkov in the overall standings.

"If I'd known I was just one second behind, I would have worked harder at the end," Berzin said.

Tonkov, who tuned up for his defence by winning the Tour de Romandie earlier this month, said: "I hoped to get a result like this today. It's important looking ahead to rest of the Giro."

Italy's Roberto Petito was third yesterday, 32 seconds behind Tonkov, and is third overall.