Alex Dowsett wins Giro d'Italia time trial; Ryder Hesjedal drops to sixth

The Associated Press

SALTARA, Italy - Alex Dowsett won the individual time trial in the eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday after favourite Bradley Wiggins was slowed by a puncture.

Vincenzo Nibali, Wiggins' main rival for the title, took the overall lead from Benat Intxausti.

Dowsett won his first Grand Tour stage by finishing the hilly 34.05-mile route from Gabicce Mare to Saltara in 1 hour, 16 minutes, 27 seconds, beating fellow Briton Wiggins by 10 seconds. Tanel Kangert of Estonia was third.

Nibali is nearly half a minute in front of second-place Cadel Evans of Australia. Wiggins moved up to fourth in the overall standings, 1:16 behind the Italian.

It was a tough day for defending champion Ryder Hesjedal. The Victoria native finished 2:23 back in 18th place, and dropped from third overall to sixth.

The Giro ends May 26 in Brescia.