Tirreno-Adriatico 2018 Stage 2: Kittel outsprints Sagan and Bevin takes overall lead

Stage 2 at the Tirreno-Adriatico runs on the flat along the Tuscan coast. The race boils down to a bunch sprint with Kittel outpowering Sagan, while Patrick Bevin comes in fifth to take the leader's jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage 2018 Tirreno-Adriatico

1. Marcel Kittel (ger)
2. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
3. Giacomo Nizzolo (ita) s.t.
4. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.
5. Patrick Bevin (nzl) s.t.
6. Jakub Marczko (ita) s.t.
7. Fernando Gaviria (col) s.t.
8. Danny van Poppel (nld) s.t.
9. Eduard Michael Grosu (rom) s.t.
10. Simon Consonni (ita) s.t.

GC after the 2nd stage
1. Patrick Bevin (nzl)
2. Damiano Caruso (ita) s.t.
3. Greg Van Avermaet (bel) s.t.
4. Rohan Dennis (aus) s.t.
5. Daryl Impay (Zaf) + 0.04
6. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) + 0.09
7. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.
8. Salvatore Puccio (ita) s.t.
9. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
10. Jonathan Castroviejo (spa) s.t.

12. Bob Jungels (lux) + 0.15
15. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.25
19. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
22. Rafal Majka (pol) + 0.30
30. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.45
33. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
37. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 0.49
43. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.50
56. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 0.53
65. Romain Bardet (fra) + 1.04
71. Adam Yates (gbr) + 1.17
76. Simon Spilak (slo) + 1.28
104. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 2.33

Race report
Once the flag is dropped Alexander Foliforov, Gui Sagiv, Nicola Bagioli and Jacopo Mosca break clear. Bagioli takes the first KOM points and then stops his efforts, while the other three race to a lead of more than 7 minutes.

With 12 kms to go the leaders are brought back and in the ensuing sprint Marcel Kittel outguns Peter Sagan after a perfect lead-out by Erik Zabel.

Patrick Bevin crosses the line in fifth and thanks to his finishing position the Kiwi takes over the race lead from team-mate Damiano Caruso. Adam Yates and Primoz Roglic lose time –
1’13” and 1’42” -, the other GC contenders finish safely in the peloton.