Fabio Jakobsen has won stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico 2023. The 26-year-old European Champion sprinted to victory in the 210-kilometer flat stage that took the riders further south along the coast from Camaiore to Follonica.

Jakobsen stuck to Alpecin-Deceuninck sprint ace Jasper Philipsen’s rear wheel in the stage finale and used Jakobsen’s acceleration to his own advantage. Jakobsen then accelerated from behind and passed Philipsen before the finish line. Movistar Team’s Fernando Gaviria Rendon completed the podium.

“It took a bit of time for me sense the happiness inside me after I crossed the line. I could hear my sports directors cheering but I wanted to be sure,” stage winner Jakobsen explained to Roadcycling.com. “It’s always nice to win but it’s especially nice at a big race like Tirreno-Adriatico. It’s my first win in Europe this year. After the crash at Le Samyn last week, my knee is a bit stiff when I walk up stairs, but I’m fine on the bike and happy to be able to win.”

“This is my first ever victory in Italy and I don’t forget that I’m named after Fabio Casartelli. I remember when I first went to the Tour de France with Dutch television to meet his parents at his memorial at Portet d’Aspet. Thinking of it still gives me goose bumps. Today’s win for me is a little bit of his win too.”

“I don’t put a number on my back for training. If I don’t want to compete, I stay at home,” Tirreno-Adriatico leader Ganna told Roadcycling.com. “I was in racing mode today, but with the aim of taking as few risks as possible. I stayed out of trouble and made sure that everything was going well for our general classification riders because we don’t have a sprinter in this race. I hope to come out of Tirreno-Adriatico in top shape for the classics and Giro d’Italia 2023.”

Ineos-Grenadier’s Italian Time Trial Champion Filippo Ganna remains overall race leader following today’s stage 2. Ganna is 28 seconds ahead of Bora-Hansgrohe’s Lennard Kämna in second place and 31 seconds ahead of Magnus Sheffield (Ineos-Grenadiers) in third.

Stage 3 of Tirreno-Adriatico will take the peloton away from the Italian coast on a 216-kilometer ride through hilly terrain from Follonica to Foligno.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for coverage from Tirreno-Adriatico 2023.