Manxman Mark Cavendish has made history by becoming the first British rider to wear the Giro d'Italia leader's pink jersey.

Cavendish was the winner of the race as his Team Columbia-Highroad squad won the opening team time trial.

The team finished the 20.5-kilometre route along Venice's beach front in a time of 21 minutes 50 seconds - six seconds ahead of the Garmin-Slipstream team.

Cavendish told the BBC: ‘I live in Italy so this jersey has particular significance. To win the stage all the riders have to be at 100 per cent. So this is a team victory.’

The first road race stage - a 156km run from Jesolo to Trieste – takes place on Sunday.