Arlenis Sierra starts in a meritorious 21st place in the prestigious Giro d'Italia

Havana, June 30 (RHC) - The star of Cuban cycling, Arlenis Sierra, finished in a meritorious 21st place among 144 of the best cyclists in the world in the prologue of the famous Giro d'Italia, which started Thursday with start and finish in Cagliari.

In the 4.7 km section, the illustrious daughter of Manzanillo, in eastern Cuba, clocked 6.04 minutes and was 23 seconds behind the winner, American Kristen Faulkner (5.45 min).

The winner was followed by Georgia Baker at 3 seconds and the Italian Elisa Bálsamo (6).

The Olympic and world champion and Movistar Team leader, Dutch Annemiek Van Vleuten, was the best of her club and placed sixth (9 seconds behind Faulkner), in her return to top competition after an injury.

"A more than acceptable start for Van Vleuten and the Movistar Team girls in the Giro d'Italia, with the 6th place of the Olympic champion in the explosive prologue of Cagliari", highlighted on social networks Movistar, and added that Emma Norsgard was just outside the top-ten (11) in a course of less than 5 km, fast and windy.

This Friday the second stage will be run over 106.5 km starting in Villasimius and finishing in Tortoli.