The Team Sky Brit put 11 seconds into principal rival Vincenzo Nibali but ran out of km to surpass the Astana rider, settling for second place, 23 seconds back.

Froome set a time good enough for sixth on the 9.2-kilometre decider in Benedetto del Tronto.

Behind Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) was able to dispatch Joaquím Rodriguez (Katusha) to elevate himself onto the final place on the podium, yet he came under immense pressure at the death from Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), just edging out the Pole by a single second.

Elsewhere Tony Martin continued his overwhelming time trial supremacy with victory in the final stage, the German world champion (Omega Pharma-Quick-Step) setting a time of 10 minutes and 25 seconds, six seconds faster than his nearest rival.

Second place in Tirreno-Adriatico marks another imposing result for Froome this season following victory at the Tour of Oman. It also sees the 27-year-old enter the UCI WorldTour rankings in fifth place, the third Team Sky rider in the top 10 alongside leader Richie Porte and Geraint Thomas (7th).

“I wanted to start the season [on the front foot],” said Froome after the finish on the team website.

Although he may have been slightly disappointed after losing the overall lead on Monday’s excruciating stage, Froome was content with second overall, seeing it as confirmation of him being on track to hit peak condition once the Tour starts, “I came off a really good winter training. I didn’t have any sicknesses or problems building up to the season. I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m in the best form right now, but I’m definitely on track for where I need to be in March. Any results I’m getting now along the way on the build-up to the Tour are a bonus for me. It’s just a good indication that I’m heading in the right direction.”