Paul Magnier won the first stage of the Giro d'Italia in Bulgaria on Friday amid a big crash between riders close to the finish.
The French Soudal–Quick-Step cyclist took his first Giro stage victory and the pink jersey after the 147 kilometre route from Nessebar to Burgas. Tobias Lund Andresen was second and Ethan Vernon third.
The late crash involved stage favourite Dylan Groenewegen but it should not hamper the chances of any of those who fell as the main group were all given the same time.
Twice Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard is going for Giro glory this year as he bids to complete a Grand Tour treble before big rival
Tadej Pogačar, who is not racing the Giro this season.
The Dane appeared the miss the chaos of the crash and came home safe in the main peloton.
It is the first time a Grand Tour race has visited Bulgaria. It continues there over the weekend before switching to Italy.
Stage two is a 221km ride from Burgas to Veliko Tarnovo.
