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Novara (AP) - Belgian Tim Merlier has won the second stage of the 104th Giro d'Italia.
The 28-year-old professional cyclist won the mass sprint after 179 kilometers from Stupinigi to Novara ahead of the two Italians Giacomo Nizzolo and Elia Viviani.
The pink jersey of the overall first is still worn by the Italian world champion Filippo Ganna, who won the opening time trial in Turin on Saturday.
The German podium hopeful Emanuel Buchmann had lost almost a minute to Ganna and a few seconds to the rivals in the overall standings in the fight against the clock.
On Monday the sprinters could come back to the train.
One mountain of the third and two climbs of the fourth category should be feasible for the fast men on the third section over 190 kilometers from Biella to Canale.
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