Italian rider Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) won Stage 2 of the 101st Giro d’Italia in a bunch sprint at the end of the 167km stage from Haifa to Tel Aviv. Jakub Mareczko (Wilier Triestina – Selle Italia) and Sam Bennett (Bora – Hansgrohe) finished second and third, respectively.
Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing Team) is the new race General Classification leader, wearing the Maglia Rosa, thanks to the 3″ time bonus obtained by winning the second intermediate sprint.
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, stage winner Viviani said: “Everyone expected me to win so I was very nervous this morning. I’ve returned to the Giro after a two-year absence and a great desire to win. I’ve had to use my team-mates earlier than planned. I dedicate this victory to my girlfriend Elena. We sacrifice a lot to achieve this kind of result.”
The race leader, Dennis, said: “I missed the Maglia Rosa by very little yesterday but I made it today thanks to teamwork. My team-mates led me out for 20km to win this time bonus, and even before then they made sure no one escaped up the road. Viviani, to be honest, he sprinted but he didn’t go full. It was good to see him get the stage win after… not that he gave it to me but, put it this way, he was kind.”
Stage 2 Brief Results:
- Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) at 3:51:20
- Jakub Mareczko (Wilier Triestina – Selle Italia) s.t.
- Sam Bennett (BORA – hansgrohe) s.t.
- Niccolo Bonifazio (Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team)
- Sacha Modolo (Team EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale) s.t.
- Clément Venturini (AG2R La Mondiale) s.t.
- Ryan Gibbons (Dimension Data)
- Manuel Belletti (Androni – Sidermec – Bottecchia) s.t.
- Baptiste Planckaert (Team Katusha – Alpecin) s.t.
- Jean-Pierre Drucker (BMC Racing Team) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 2:
- Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing Team)
- Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) at 1″
- Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Soudal) at 3″
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