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Up from the Sea G17-51
Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) went off on a long break, jumping free of the others on the way up the Monte Sant Angelo. While he was picking up King of the Mountian points, I suspect that his main goal was a stage win. Astana started this Giro with one less rider. They did it leaving no one wearing the bib number of team leader, a number that would have been worn by Michele Scarponi. Scarponi had been killed by a motorist while out on a training ride just after the Tour of the Alps. The opening stage started with a moment of silence for Scarponi and then Astana rolling out ahead of the rest of the peloton.