Merlier sprints to Giro 2nd stage win, Ganna holds pink jersey

NOVARA: Belgian Tim Merlier won a sprint finish for the second stage of the Giro d’italia on Sunday with Italy’s Filippo Ganna holding the leader’s pink jersey.

Merlier, 28, riding for Alpecin, finished ahead of two Italians, European champion Giacomo Nizzolo and Elia Viviani, to claim his fourth win of the season. Dylan Groenewegen finished fourth on his return ater a nine-month ban for his part in a crash that let compatriot Fabio Jakobsen with serious injuries at last year’s Tour of Poland.

“I’m very happy with this victory in my first sprint at a Grand Tour,” said Merlier.

“I was confident before tackling the Giro. I knew it was important to be well-positioned at the last roundabout. When I came out of it I only thought of going faster and faster aterwards. I went from far out, at about 250 metres.

“I still had enough to finish it off. My preparation at altitude has been good.”

Opening time-trial stage winner Ganna of Ineos holds the overall race lead ater the 179-kilometre run between Stupinigi near Turin to Novara in his native Piedmont.

The Italian finished among the bunched sprint finish which included his Ineos teammate and 2019 Tour de France winner Egan Bernal.

“I did the time bonus sprint just to take the bonification (time bonus) away from the others, thinking of the coming days if Egan or Pavel (Sivakov) are fighting for the Maglia Rosa,” said Ganna.

Monday’s 190km third stage between Biella and Canale includes three climbs in the second half of the race including one 15km from the finishing line.

Results from the second stage of the Giro d’italia

1. Tim Merlier ( Bel/alpecin) 4hrs 21mins 9sec, 2. Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/ QHU) same time, 3. Elia Viviani (ITA/ COF) s.t., 4. Dylan Groenewegen (NED/JUM) s.t., 5. Peter Sagan ( SVK/ BOR) s.t., 6. Mateo Moscheti (ITA/ TRE) s.t., 7. Filippo Fiorelli (ITA/BAR) s.t., 8. Lawrence Naesen ( BEL/AG2) s.t., 9. Davide Cimolai (ITA/ISR) s.t., 10. Caleb Ewan ( AUS/LOT) s.t