Five riders had earlier booked themselves a day in the break, after a few attempts had failed to stick from the flag, with Daniel Teklehaimanot (Dimension Data) up the road for the second consecutive day.

Lukasz Owsian (CCC Sprandi Polkowice), Ilia Koshevoy (Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia), Evgeny Shalunov (Gazprom-RusVelo) and Simone Andreetta (Bardiani-CSF) were also present, ensuring an equal spread between the wildcard teams.

Bora-hansgrohe were happy to let them build up a five-minute lead, as Teklehaimanot set about claiming points at the intermediate sprint and on the climbs.

The gap was down to 90 seconds when Owsian’s day up the road was ended, while in the peloton Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe) struggled on the undulating stage. The Irishman was the only sprinter struggling, however, with Ewan, Greipel and co all present in the peloton.

At the front, Orica-Scott drove the pace before Lotto-Soudal hit the front, and Ewan latched onto Greipel’s wheel.

Postlberger did not give up the maglia rosa without a fight – putting in another late attack – but this time the sprinters would not be denied.

Gaviria kicked first, but Ewan’s response was muted after he suffered a dropped chain, before Greipel hit the front to take the stage win.

Thomas proved his attentiveness by finishing in the top ten, while all the other GC riders finished safely in the bunch – Zakarin the only exception.

Greipel will now wear the maglia rosa on the third of three Sardinian stages on Sunday.

Giro d’Italia 2017: stage two – result

1) Andre Greipel (GER) – Lotto-Soudal – 6.05.18hrs
2) Roberto Ferrari (ITA) – UAE Team Emirates – ST
3) Jasper Stuyven (BEL) – Trek-Sgeafredo
4) Fernando Gaviria (COL) – QuickStep Floors
5) Kristian Sbaragli (ITA) – Dimension Data
6) Enrico Battaglin (ITA) – LottoNL-Jumbo
7) Ryan Gibbons (RSA) – Dimension Data
8) Geraint Thomas (GBR) – Team Sky
9) Caleb Ewan (AUS) – Orica-Scott
10) Rui Costa (POR) – UAE Team Emirates

General classification

1) Andre Greipel (GER) – Lotto-Soudal – 11.18.39hrs
2) Lukas Postlberger (AUT) – Bora-hansgrohe +4”
3) Caleb Ewan (AUS) – Orica-Scott +8”
4) Roberto Ferrari (ITA) – UAE Team Emirates – ST
5) Jasper Stuyven (BEL) – Trek-Segafredo +10”
6) Pavel Brutt (RUS) – Gazprom-RusVelo +12”
7) Kristian Sbaragli (ITA) – Dimension Data +14”
8) Ryan Gibbons (RSA) – Dimension Data – ST
9) Fernando Gaviria (COL) – QuickStep Floors
10) Enrico Battaglin (ITA) – LottoNL-Jumbo