Two-time world champion Giorgia Bronzini delighted the home crowd by taking victory in the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile ©Getty Images

Two-time world champion Giorgia Bronzini delighted the home crowd by taking victory in the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile as the United States' Megan Guarnier claimed the pink jersey.

The Wiggle High5 rider won the 104 kilometres stage from Gaiarine to San Fior in a sprint finish, clocking a time of 2 hours 38min 22sec as she edged out Guarnier, riding for Boels-Dolmans, and Aromitalia Vaiano's Rasa Leleivytė of Lithuania.

Guarnier takes over the pink jersey from Team Liv-Plantur’s Leah Kirchmann, the Canadian who ended the first stage 41 seconds off the pace in 12th position, despite winning yesterday’s prologue. 

She took the jersey after stage one of last year’s event, marking the start of a six-day stint for the US road champion. 

Megan Guarnier claimed the pink jersey ©Getty Images
Megan Guarnier claimed the pink jersey ©Getty Images

World champion Lizzie Armitstead finished five seconds back on the stage and sits in sixth place overall.

Considered one of the favourites for success, the Briton is 14 seconds behind team-mate Guarnier.

Tomorrow’s stage is due to see the riders embark on a 111.1km journey from Tarcento to Montenars.

The peloton are due to complete nine stages in all and will have covered 858km by the end of the race on July 10.