Viviani takes Giro d’Italia second stage

GENOA: Italy’s Elia Viviani used his local knowledge of home roads to snatch victory in stage two of the Giro d’Italia yesterday, with Australian Michael Matthews taking over as race leader.

Viviani triumphed on the 177km ride from Albenga to Genoa, pipping Moreno Hofland and Andre Greipel on the line.

“It's incredible to win my first stage in the Giro. We’re here to help Richie Porte in the general classification, so I don’t have many riders for the sprints,” he said. “But I knew the final metres were uphill and I knew when to go.”

Matthews finished seventh on the stage to take the pink jersey.

“It was a very technical stage finish and we knew that you had to be up front in the last kilometre. I decided to go early, because everyone was fighting for position. But the finish was really hard,” he said.

“It was a really special time for me to wear the Maglia Rosa last year, and to wear it for the second time is even sweeter. It was team work yesterday that got me where I am today, so I have to thank my teammates for this magical feeling.”

Spanish favourite Alberto Contador is sixth overall as he bids to become the first man to achieve a Giro/Tour de France double since the late Marco Pantani of Italy in 1998.

Stage three today is a 136km trek from Rapallo to Sestri Levante, with several tough climbs and bends. The race finishes in Milan on May 31. – Reuters