Giro d'Italia 2024 GC standings after stage 2: Tadej Pogacar already 45 seconds clear of 2nd placed Geraint Thomas

On a spectacular stage 2 of the Giro d'Italia 2024, Tadej Pogacar took the win atop Oropa and moved into the overall lead and as such, wears the Maglia Rosa for the first time in his career.

The UAE Team Emirates star staged a brutal comeback after suffering a puncture and crashing 10km from the finish. Pogacar, eager to redeem himself from the defeat of the opening stage and given extra fuel by this late crash, got back into contact with the leaders and then with around 4km to go, launched a brutal attack that none of his rivals were able to live with.

Behind the imperial Pogacar, Geraint Thomas holds the second position after his Top 3 on the day. Colombian Daniel Martinez, after being the best of the rest behind the Slovenian, takes the virtual third position in the classification, with Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader, Cian Uijtdebroeks 4th.

Einer Rubio settles in a promising 5th place for Movistar Team after finishing 8th, Lorenzo Fortunato sits 6th. Juan Pedro Lopez is now 7th overall after his ninth place on the stage, with Jan Hirt, Esteban Chaves and Alexey Lutsenko completing the top-10.

GIRO D'ITALIA 2024 GC STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 2.

1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)

2. Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers): +0:45

3. Daniel Martinez (BORA - hansgrohe): +0:45

4. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma - Lease a Bike): +0:54

5. Einer Rubio (Movistar Team): +0:54

6. Lorenzo Fortunato (Astana Qazaqstan Team): +1:05

7. Juan Pedro López (Lidl-Trek): +1:09

8. Jan Hirt (Soudal Quick-Step): +1:11

9. Esteban Chaves (EF Education-EasyPost): +1:24

10. Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan Team): +1:24