Stage 2 | Sunday, 7 May | Teramo - San Salvo | 202 kilometres
The first section ridden by the peloton proves that the Giro will be tough. Although there are no big mountains yet, the 200-kilometre distance is tackled straight away.
The 2nd stage leads mainly directly along the Adriatic coast. Whenever the route takes a detour into the hinterland, as in the first few kilometres and again in the middle section, it gets hilly. Two 4th category mountain classifications therefore await in the middle third. In between, there are also the first two intermediate sprints of the tour.
The finale of stage 2 is almost flat as a plate and offers hardly any potential risk of falling. A roundabout and a 90-degree bend are the only changes of direction on the last three kilometres before the 1000-metre-long finishing straight, which is well asphalted and eight metres wide.
Sporting assessment of the 2nd stage
As the Giro d'Italia traditionally offers few opportunities for mass arrivals, the sprinters are unlikely to miss their first chance. The list of would-be winners is also quite presentable. Former world champion Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) has shown some form with a string of top five finishes in the Flemish classics. Fernando Gaviria (Movistar) won the last bunch sprint at World Tour level at the Tour de Romandie. Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) also showed his best side with two victories in the Tour of Catalonia.
From a German perspective, Pascal Ackermann (UAE Team Emirates), who returns to the Giro for the first time after winning the Maglia Ciclamino 2019, will be the biggest trump card. Alberto Dainese (Team DSM), Simone Consonni (Cofidis) and youngster Jonathan Milan (Bahrain-Victorious), like Ackermann and Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan Team) are not yet fully convincing, but the home match should represent a season highlight for the three Italians, both in terms of form and motivation.
However, a breakaway attempt is particularly interesting for all those who have no hopes for the finale and do not have an eye on the overall standings. In the middle section of the route, four intermediate classifications will be taken within around 45 kilometres. The best rider in the two mountain prizes will win the blue jersey, as the only classification from the opening time trial can be topped with it.
Schedule, TV coverage & live stream of stage 2 of the Giro d'Italia 2023
The peloton sets off at 12:20 and first has to cover 5.6 neutralised kilometres before the race really gets underway. With calculated average speeds of between 41 and 45 km/h, the riders should reach the finish between 16:59 and 17:26.
Eurosport will be broadcasting all stages of the Giro d'Italia 2023. Stage 2 will be shown free-to-air on Eurosport 1 from 12 noon. Including post-stage coverage, the broadcast will run until 17:45. The paid providers GCN+ and Discovery+ will also be showing a live stream on the internet from 12 noon.
Giro d'Italia 2023 - Stage 2: The most important information at a glance
- Flat stage over 202 kilometres
- Start of the stage: 12:20 pm
- Estimated arrival time: between 16:59 and 17:26
- TV broadcast: 12:00 - 17:45 Eurosport 1
- Live stream: GCN+ and Discovery+ from 12 noon
