VARAZZE,(Italy), May 25: The overall Giro d’Italia contenders took things easy on the 210-km 16th stage to Varazze on Wednesday allowing Frenchman Christophe Le Mevel to grasp his chance to take his first win as a professional. The Credit Agricole rider was part of the 17-rider breakaway that formed after 98 km of fast racing and then jumped away 1.5 km from the finish to win alone.

Christophe Brandt of Belgium was second, nine seconds behind, with Italian Alessandro Vanotti third at 16 seconds.

Le Mevel became the first Frenchman to win a stage at the Giro since Laurent Jalabert in 1999.

The main peloton finished a distant 22:16 behind Le Mevel but Italy’s Paolo Savoldelli retained the overall race lead. Danilo Di Luca is second at 25 and fellow Italian Gilberto Simoni third at 1:48.

Delighted Le Mevel said: “It is going to take me some time to realise what I’ve done because this is my first victory as a professional.”

The Frenchman suffered serious leg injuries in a crash in 2002 when the chain ring of a team mate’s bike cut his left calf. He was unable to walk for four months and his left leg is still 30 percent weaker than his right.—Reuters