Former world champion Mads Pedersen narrowly beat Wout van Aert in a sprint finish to win the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia and claim the first pink jersey of this year’s race, which started in Albania for the first time.

Former world champion Mads Pedersen won the opening stage of the 108th Giro d'Italia in Albania on Friday. After 160 kilometres from Durrës to the capital Tirana, the Dane prevailed in a mass sprint from Belgian Wout van Aert.

Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock and Mads Pedersen among the favourites on a hilly opening day to the year’s first Grand Tour