IMO I would hesitate on making a big investment on a first bike. Everybody's different, and the only way to find out what's important to you is to get out and ride, and figure out what you really want to improve and go from there.

I started wtih an entry level hybrid (a Giant Nutra) which I chose after riding about 20 different bikes at 4 different shops, based on What Felt Best. (In fact, it has a Bianchi stem because I'd really liked the Bianchi but it cost the most so I rode others to make *sure* I liked it better... then went back because it did but that bike had sold... and I asked why I'd like it better and they moved a Bianchi stem onto the Giant. On an entry level bike, even )

I wanted something lighter and faster with bigger gears, after a few thousand miles... but I realized I didn't need a road bike. I got a 7500FX with skinny tyres instead. It's light and fast... but my back does *not* like to be bent over, and most other folks don't mind, and I'm not really into going fast fast fast.