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Basso sets pace

Italian well-placed for first professional win

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TOULON, France (Reuters) -- Italian Ivan Basso won Wednesday's 140-km first stage of the Tour Mediterranean at the summit of mount Faron overlooking Toulon.

Basso, world junior champion in 1998, beat experienced compatriot Davide Rebellin on the gruelling climb to the top of the hill.

Frenchman David Moncoutie was third five seconds behind with the rest of the bunch more than 16 seconds adrift.

With five flat stages remaining until the finish in Marseille, Basso, who rides for the Fassa Bartolo team, looks well placed to claim his first major professional victory.

The race started without Frenchman Laurent Jalabert. The former time trial world champion broke three vertebrae in his lower back when he fell from a chair at home while changing a light bulb Tuesday.

He will be out of action for a month.

 

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