Scotland's David Millar couldn't help his Garmin-Slipstream squad to win the opening team time trial at the Giro d'Italia in Venice.

Time trial specialist Millar put in a serious shift at the start of the stage but faded as his team-mates crossed the line just six seconds behind arch-rivals Columbia-Highroad.

Millar came home more than two minutes behind his team-mates as Mark Cavendish took the leader's jersey, the first British rider to wear the maglia rosa in the history of the season's first Grand Tour.

The Scot, who has made a quick recovery from a recent broken collar bone, is riding the Giro for only the second time, but still describes the race as his 'nemesis'.

Last year he was well placed to win a stage, only for his chain to break in the closing stages, prompting him to furiously launch his bike into the crowd.

"We're disappointed we didn't win because we put a lot of effort into that team time trial," admitted Millar.

"Last year I swore never to return because that was the hardest race I've done in my life. I didn't have much fun but I suppose I'm back."