Tim Merlier wins Stage 2 the Giro d’Italia
Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) retains the Maglia Rosa and leads the general classification.
The 2021 Giro d’Italia hit the streets of Stupingi for the race’s first road stage. Making its way east for the predicted sprint finish in Novara 179km later, the roads were almost completely flat the entire day, with just one fourth category climb for the riders to contend with.
Eager to make their mark on the race, three Italian riders made the jump the second the flag dropped to start the stage, quickly building an advantage that topped out at 4:20. The peloton was confident in being able to make the catch, with the flat roads making it easy to bring the escapees in.
120km from the finish line, it was clear that the time gap was going to drop quickly. This advantage fell to 1:30 with 50km remaining and it continued to drop steadily as the peloton came closer to Novara. Again with BORA-hansgrohe on the front, the remnants of the break were caught with 27km to go, and from here it was all about preparing for the sprint finale. The pace picked up as the finish grew closer, with some long sweeping turns ready to catch riders out of position, as the nervousness at the first road finale of the Giro became apparent.Peter Sagan was staying safe several riders back as the bunch made its way around the final tight turns before the finish, the finishing straight only 150m from the line. Peter sprinted hard, picking off places as he went, but with no room to pass on the inside line on the final bend, it just wasn’t enough.
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner Tim Merlier said: “I’m very happy with this victory in my first sprint at a Grand Tour. 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 afterwards. I went from far out, at about 250 metres. I still had enough to finish it off. My preparation at altitude has been good. I was confident before tackling the Giro.”
The Maglia Rosa, Filippo Ganna, said: “I did the time bonus sprint just to take the bonification away from the others, thinking of the coming days if Egan (Bernal) or Pavel (Sivakov) are fighting for the Maglia Rosa. I saw Remco (Evenepoel) was trying to go for it too. But Gianni (Moscon) and myself did a good job. I enjoyed hearing the crowd of Piedmont yelling my name today. We know tomorrow is a perfect stage for Peter Sagan.”
Stage Results
01 T.Merlier 4h21’09”
02 G.Nizzolo + 0:00
03 E.Viviani + 0:00
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers)
2 – Edoardo Affini (Jumbo-Visma) at 13″
3 – Tobias Foss (Jumbo-Visma) at 16″
