But he was passed by Team Garmin's sprinter Tyler Farrar and Euskaltel's Koldo Fernandez and finished third.

BBC: Mark Cavendish beaten again in Tour of Spain

The 33-year-old Wiggins wasn't the only high-profile rider to withdraw, with team Garmin-Sharp's Ryder Hesjedal out of the race after succumbing to illness.

CNN: Wiggins withdraws from Giro d'Italia

Mr. Vaughters is currently chief executive of Boulder-based cycling Team Garmin-Sharp.

WSJ: Lance Armstrong Admits to Doping, 'One Big Lie'

The race starts with a short team time trial in Venice on Saturday, with Stapleton's Team Columbia and the Garmin, Astana and Saxo Bank squads expected to feature.

CNN: Armstrong plays down Giro chances

Last weekend Garmin-Barracuda veteran Ryder Hesjedal secured the team's most significant victory ever: winning the Giro d'Italia, the three-week stage race second only to the Tour de France in prestige.

WSJ: Garmin-Barracuda: The Misfits Take Over Cycling