Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates) won the first mountain stage of the 2024 Giro d'Italia at Oropa to claim the first Maria Rosa of his career.

The Slovenian attacked with 4.5km to go and paid the price when Ben O'Connor (Decathlon AG2R) developed Icarus syndrome and tried too hard to stay with Pogachar. The Australian was brave, but lost a minute and time to his GC rival.

Dani Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe) was second and Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadier) third. They waited for a small group to form and finished 27 seconds behind Pogachar to earn time bonuses of 6 and 4 seconds.

Stage 1 winner Honatan Narvaez (Ineos Grenadiers) finished 2:03 behind Pogachar and lost the leader's jersey. Pogachar is now 45 seconds behind Thomas and Martinez and 54 seconds ahead of Sian Wittdebrooks (Visma Lease-a-Bike) and Einel Rubio (Movistar).

Uitdebroeks was impressive in the chase group and wore the white jersey of the best young rider. Filippo Fiorelli (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faisane) attacked on the second stage and took the lead in the cyclamen-colored points jersey. Martinez is in second place and will wear this jersey on Monday.

After only two stages, the 2024 Giro d'Italia already has a wide gap in the overall standings, with several riders without a chance of a podium or perhaps even a top 10 overall finish.

Ireland's Eddie Dunbar (Jayco Alura) crashed mid-stage and finished 5:56 behind Pogachar, while Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers) had another tough day and was 1:36 behind. He is apparently struggling in the first week of the Grand Tour and is not at his best. He is 4:07 behind Pogachar.

Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich-Post NL) had a better day after struggling in the stage, but still lost 1:20 and is 2:30 behind. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) has clearly not recovered from his injury and is already 6:32 behind.

The top 20 GC riders are already 2:30 behind after only two stages. Fortunately, the GC riders will be able to enjoy three moving stages and a sprint stage before the crucial gravel stage to Rapolano Terme in Tuscany on Thursday.

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2024 Giro d'Italia jersey classification.

Click here for details of all classifications and prizes, including intermediate sprint and fighting spirit awards.

Maglia rosa - The pink jersey is worn by the overall leader who finishes the stage with the lowest cumulative time in the overall class.

Maglia ciclamino - the cyclamen jersey indicates the leader in the points prize; points are awarded for two intermediate sprints and the finish. The rider with the most points will be the leader in the ranking and will wear the cyclamen jersey.

Maglia azzurra - The blue jersey is for the mountain class. During the Giro, points are awarded to the first rider to cross a hill or mountain classified in a particular category. The highest and steepest mountains earn the most points. The rider with the most points leads the ranking and wears the blue jersey.

Maglia bianca - The white jersey is awarded to the leader of the young rider award. Like Maria Rosa, it is calculated based on timed races, but only riders under the age of 25 may win and wear this jersey.