Denis Menchov takes control of Giro's maglia rosa

DENIS Menchov produced a storming time trial win to take control of the maglia rosa the Giro d'Italia in Riomaggiore.

DOMINANT: Denis Menchov took the first individual time trial of the 2009 Giro d'italia in Riomaggiore (Getty Images)

Menchov, a two-time Grand Tour winner in the Spanish Vuelta, snatched the lead from Danilo di Luca with an impressive display on a demanding 60.6km course.

Di Luca is no time trial specialist but the 2007 winner produced an excellent ride to limit the damage.

He is just 34 seconds behind Rabobank rider Menchov while Astana's Levi Leipheimer is third, 40 seconds back.

Great Britain’s Bradley Wiggins was seventh on the stage, just under two minutes behind Menchov, while Lance Armstrong - in his first major time trial since his return to the saddle - was 2.26 off the pace, the 13th quickest time.

Home hope Ivan Basso, who would have hoped to figure, had a disappointing day and made no further impression on the general classification. He sits seventh, three minutes behind the new leader.