Australian cycling star Cadel Evans picked up a time bonus to lie fifth overall after the opening stage of Tirreno-Adriatico stage race in Italy.
Evans finished 20th in the 148km stage from Livorno to Risignano Solvay, among 120 riders in the main group.
But the Australian world champion was third in the intermediate sprint and that time bonus moved him up to fifth in the general classification.
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Milram racer Linus Gerdemann of Germany came in at the head of a four-man breakaway over the final four kilometres to win the stage.
Gerdemann also picked up time bonuses during the stage to don the leader's red jersey as he edged out Spain's Lastras Garcia, Denmark's Matti Breschel and Italian Luca Paolini.
Evans' BMC team was happy to stay out of trouble and not lose time on the cold and wet stage.
Evans is nine seconds behind Gerdemann overall, while fellow Australian Simon Clarke finished ninth and is 11th on the general classification.
The week-long race is a prelude to the Milan-San Remo classic on March 20.
