Dean plays key winning role for teammate in Giro d'Italia

New Zealand rider Julian Dean played a key role in his teammate’s victory on stage two of the Giro d’Italia in the Netherlands today.

The kiwi sprinter provided the perfect lead-out for young American Tyler Farrar as the Garmin-Transitions rider swept to the win on the 209km stage from Amsterdam to Utrecht.

It was a day fraught with crashes, with Farrar involved early but recovered to join the bunch.

The key Garmin lead-out riders David Millar, Murilo Fischer and Dean avoided the mass pile-up 7km from the finish and provided the perfect lead for their American sprinter, with Dean holding on for ninth place in the bunch sprint.

Kiwi Greg Henderson, fifth in the opening time trial, was caught up in the melee, finishing with his Sky teammates four minutes behind the winner.

Australian Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) has taken over the leader’s pink jersey by just one second from Farrar.

Tomorrow’s third stage is the final day in the Netherlands with a 209km stage to Middelburg.