Team CSC rider Martin Pedersen from Denmark claimed victory on Stage One of the Tour of Britain today (TUES AUGUST 29) in Castle Douglas, Scotland. Pedersen was one of three riders who made an early break after just 15 miles, and stayed away for the rest of the race with Australian Matt Goss of Team SA.Com and Luis Pasamontes of Team Unibet.com and Spain.

Pedersen looked powerful on the uphill sprint in Castle Douglas with Pasamontes second and Goss third across the line. The CSC winner will now start tomorrow¹s second stage in Blackpool in the leader¹s yellow jersey. The bunch finished 2m 36s behind the leaders with Quick Step-Innergetic rider Francesco Chicchi leading the lunge to the line.

The peloton allowed the group to get 11minutes ahead at one point and leading British rider Roger Hammond (12th) said: “The chase was none existent really, noone wanted to do it. The big teams didn’t seem to want to attack until a couple of Barloworld guys took it on. It¹s a much smaller gap than last year so anything is possible.”

Stage winner Pedersen commented: “I was pleased to get in the break so early and all three of us worked really hard. The gap got bigger and bigger and once it built to 10mins 40secs I knew we could take the stage. It was a great performance for me and the team. I am extremely delighted to take the yellow jersey at the start of the Tour of Britain.”

The stage started on Glasgow Green and took in three hill climbs and three sprints along the way to Castle Douglas.

Goss was rewarded for his hard work and claimed the E.ON King of the Mountains jersey. Karsten Kroon of CSC won the T-Mobile sprint jersey and Pasamontes was awarded the points jersey. Unibet.com are leading the General Classification and last year¹s winners, Quick Step, are in fourth.