Giro 2024: Pogacar climbs into pink at Oropa

foto: Cor VosTadej Pogacar launches an attack from the group of favourites with 4.5 kilometers remaining to the mountain-top finish at the Oropa Sanctuary. He solos to the stage victory and the maglia rosa, while Daniel Felipe Martínez outguns Geraint Thomas in the sprint for second place. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage 2024 Giro

1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Daniel Felipe Martínez (col) + 0.26
3. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.
4. Lorenzo Fortunato (ita) s.t.
5. Florian Lipowitz (ger) s.t.
6. Michael Storer (aus) + 0.30
7. Cian Uijtdebroeks (bel) s.t.
8. Einer Rubio (col) s.t.
9. Juan Pedro López (spa) + 0.35
10. Jan Hirt (cze) + 0.37

30. Jhonathan Narváez (ecu) + 2.03

GC after stage 2
1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.45
3. Daniel Felipe Martínez (col) s.t.
4. Cian Uijtdebroeks (bel) + 0.54
5. Einer Rubio (col) s.t.
6. Lorenzo Fortunato (ita) + 1.05
7. Juan Pedro López (spa) + 1.09
8. Jan Hirt (cze) + 1.11
9. Esteban Chaves (col) + 1.24
10. Ben O’Connor (aus) s.t.

11. Alexey Lutsenko (kaz) s.t.
12. Michael Storer (aus)+ 1.31
16. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 1.50
26. Antonio Tiberi (ita) + 2.48
33. Thymen Arensman (nld) + 4.07

Race report
Filippo Fiorelli attacks as soon as the flag drops. Five riders follow his move, but the peloton keeps chasing. Nevertheless, Fiorelli remains determined, eventually forming the breakaway with Christian Scaroni, Andrea Piccolo, Davide Bais, and Martin Marcellusi. They open up a lead of over 4 minutes.

Piccolo heads out alone after the intergiro sprint. He puts over 1 minute into his former companions on the Oasi Zegna climb, while the peloton reaches the summit 3 minutes after the Italian.

On the climb to Nelva, Piccolo continues to distance the other attackers. Meanwhile, the peloton is closing in, narrowing the gap to 2 minutes.

Piccolo’s lead diminishes on the final climb, and he is caught with 6.5 kilometres remaining. Tadej Pogacar attacks 2 kilometres later. Ben O’Connor attempts to follow but falters after 200 metres. Geraint Thomas rejoins the Australian before more riders make the junction. Subsequently, O’Connor falls behind.

Meanwhile, the hot favourite for the Giro victory solos to triumph at Oropa. Just under 30 seconds after Pogacar crossed the line triumphantly, Martínez beats Thomas in the sprint for second place.

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2024 Giro.