German rider Linus Gerdemann wins 1st stage of Tirreno-Adriatico race

ROSIGNANO SOLVAY, Italy - Linus Gerdemann of Germany won the opening stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico race in a sprint Wednesday.

Gerdemann, who rides for the Milram team, covered the 148-kilometre route from Livorno to Rosignano in three hours 36 minutes 15 seconds. Pablo Lastras Garcia of Spain crossed second, and Matti Breschel of Denmark was third, both with the same time as Gerdemann.

British standout Mark Cavendish fell behind on a mild climb shortly before the finish.

The weeklong race is a warmup for the Milan-San Remo, the opening single-day classic of the cycling season on March 20.

Cavendish won the Milan-San Remo last year.