Exiting the crucial final corner in today's second stage of the Giro d'Italia, Giacomo Nizzolo found himself in the best possible position on the wheel of Marcel Kittel. Like all other sprinters, however, he was unable to keep up with the fast German but did a great sprint to take third on a day when his Trek team proved how far they have come in building a lead-out train.

Under sinister skies that pelted rain all day, the 219-kilometer stage two - a mainly flat parcours - ended as predicted: in a massive sprint.  With the strength of his team Giacomo Nizzolo was able to launch his sprint in perfect position. Coming out of the last corner on Marcel Kittel’s wheel he was unable to better the fast German who handedly won the stage. Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr), first to launch the sprint, finished second with Nizzolo a close third.

“The weather was terrible, it was not really cold, but the rain made it uncomfortable. Normally in this kind or weather I am useless – I hate the rain,” said Nizzolo at the stage end. “But often it is all about head, and the Giro is very important, so… when you also see everyone [on the team] doing his job, that is very motivating, too.

“I have to say a big thank-you to the team: Everyone was really motivated today which gave me a lot of confidence. I tried to manage as best I could the last left hand corner, which was wet. I was in the wheel of [Marcel] Kittel and when he started his sprint I tried to follow him. I think third was the best place I could take today. Kittel is super fast and Bouhanni is also one of the best sprinters in the world, so finishing third place is good for today.”

The chase was on all day for the early escapees, a four-man breakaway, and the catch was timed to perfection with the last remnants all pulled back with three kilometers to go. The lead out trains all moved into position, and Trek Factory Racing assumed the front with less than two kilometers remaining with Giacomo Nizzolo in tow. The speed was ferocious to the last left hand turn with 300 meters left, and Nizzolo was placed in textbook position exiting the final bend.

“In this kind of stage there are teams here just for this, this is their goal – like Giant Shimano and FDJ,” continued Nizzolo. “In the end we were right next to them and showed them we are also motivated and have really good legs.”

Director Adriano Baffi also heaped praise on the team after the concerted effort at the end of the long, wet race.

“Honestly, this was the first time that I have seen such great teamwork for a sprint this year,” smiled director Adriano Baffi. “We have worked hard on the sprint train, and when you see the work the team did today – you have to be really happy! Of course, Kittel won, chapeau to him; in that moment it was the maximum that Giacomo could do. Our young team has started very well, and is very motivated… of course we still have 19 stages to go, but a good start like this is good for our morale and confidence."

Tomorrow the third stage will again favor the sprinters with a flat 187-kilometer course that ends in Dublin.

“Maybe tomorrow Giacomo will be tenth, maybe he will win,” added Baffi. “This is how it can be with a sprinter – we cannot guarantee a win.  What we do know is that he is in great condition and there are a lot of opportunities in this race. I hope for him, and for the team, that one of these flat stages he can win.”

“We shall see again tomorrow, and then in Italy it will be another Giro,” agreed Nizoolo. “The mood is very good in the team, and this is important when you are in three-week race. Whatever happens, we are all motivated."

The leader's jersey switched from Svein Tuft (Orica GreenEdge) to teammate Michael Matthews.