The second stage of this year's Giro d'Italia saw a showdown on the time trial bike. 13.7 kilometres and 150 metres of climbing in the Albanian capital of Tirana. The metres in altitude were almost exclusively due to a climb shortly after the halfway point of the time trial, after which the riders' split time was taken.

>> All stages of the Giro d'Italia 2025 at a glance

>> To the Giro live ticker

>> Results at a glance

Primož Roglič takes the overall leader's pink jersey in the general classification. After the time trial, he has a one-second lead over Mads Pedersen (Lidl - Trek), with Mathias Vacek (Lidl - Trek) five seconds behind him in the overall standings.

The young Briton Joshua Traling (INEOS Grenadiers) was already considered the big favourite in advance. Not least because other time trial specialists such as Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) and Stefan Küng (Groupama - FDJ) are not on the start list for the Giro d'Italia. The route suited Tarling very well with its length and only 150 metres of climbing. However, a certain victory could not be promised, as the general classification riders always have a say in time trials. But for riders like Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) the chances were not bad either. Joshua Tarling was delighted with his victory and struggled to find the right words.

I honestly can't believe it yet. I've tried everything and I'm just over the moon - Joshua Tarling

Giro d'Italia 2025 - Results of the 2nd stage

How the 2nd stage of the Giro d'Italia went

British rider Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step) set the first strong time. He crossed the finish line in 16:21 minutes and could not be beaten shortly afterwards by Jan Tratnik (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), who had been given a free ride by his team. The rider is actually assigned as a helper for his captain Primož Roglič (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe). However, Hayter had been slipstreaming behind a police motorbike for a while, which is why his time was slightly falsified.

European champion at full throttle - Jay Vine takes the lead

European champion Edoardo Affini (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) then beat Ethan Hayter's time and lived up to his European champion's jersey. Even without the slipstream of a motorbike, the Italian was able to take eight seconds off the Brit. A short time later, Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) crashed in a bend and took off his helmet. Although he put it back on, he initially continued riding without fastening the strap.

Jay Vine was UAE Team Emirates - XRG's first hot favourite. Despite the crash the day before, the Australian was already in front at the intermediate time and was able to hold on to his three-second lead across the finish line.

Top favourite just ahead

The absolute top favourite Joshua Tarling was able to take the lead from Jay Vine, although he was even a few seconds behind at the intermediate time. However, Tarling was unbeatable downhill and on the flat and was able to take the hot seat with a time of 16:07 minutes. The following riders were also unable to pose a threat to the Brit.

Juan Ayuso crossed the finish line 17 seconds behind the leader and thus temporarily occupied eighth place. He did not quite live up to his role as captain, especially as Jay Vine crossed the finish line 14 seconds faster. Shortly before the finish, it looked as if Primož Roglič could take the fastest time. However, the clock switched to red for just a single second. It could hardly have been closer.

Wout van Aert far behind

The Belgian Wout van Aert was far from being able to keep up with the best riders of the day and was already far behind at the intermediate time. After the first stage, there was a suspicion that van Aert might have regained his old strength, which is why he was also considered one of the favourites on the second day. Mads Pedersen rode much better, but narrowly lost his pink jersey.