Paris - France's Julian Alaphilippe took the Tirreno-Adriatico second stage on Thursday as Briton Adam Yates claimed the overall leader's blue jersey.
Alaphilippe, who rides for the Deceuninck–Quick-Step team, prevailed in a sprint finish to the 195-kilometre ride from Camaiore to Pomarance.
Belgian Greg Van Avermaet and Italy's Alberto Bettiol followed Alaphilippe, who won last weekend's Strade Bianche, across the line.
"I'm so happy. Yesterday we lost lots of time so I wanted to try and win a stage and today was a good occasion to do that," said Alaphilippe.
"I gave everything to win it, I surprise myself day after day."
Fifth-placed Yates, whose brother Simon won the Paris-Nice fifth-stage time-trial also on Thursday, heads the general classification from American Brent Bookwalter and Primoz Roglic of Slovenia.
"Today's finish doesn't suit me but I still managed to finish in the leading group," said Yates.
Friday's third stage favouring the sprinters is a 226km ride from Pomarance to Foligno.
Besides the 'Big 3' of rugby, cricket and soccer, which of the 'smaller' sports in South Africa do you enjoy the most?
