Tinkoff-Saxo got very close to the overall lead at Tirreno-Adriatico, as Peter Sagan placed second inthe final burst for the line and at the same time advanced to second overall due to the six bonus seconds gained in the sprint.

After crossing the line in Cascina, Sagan noted that he was happy with the overall performance of the team as well as his improving shape.

"I would like to thank the rest of my teammates because we showed we had a strong squad today. The peloton was nervous so we all stayed at the front for the last 40 kilometers of the stage”, says Peter Sagan, who remains positive ahead of the coming stages:

“Unfortunately, I finished second in the sprint but I feel my form is getting better. I think my stage could come tomorrow. Today, it was very important to stay out of trouble and we had to be very attentive to avoid crashes and injuries. I will go into the third stage standing second overall and we will see what happens”.

Stage 2 featured a 153km parcours from Camariore to Cascina that presented the riders with predominantly flat terrain except two hills early on. A group of seven riders formed today’s breakaway, but it was kept under strict control by Tinkoff-Saxo and Etixx-Quickstep throughout the stage.

In the finale, several crashes made for a hectic finish, where Tinkoff-Saxo managed to stay safe despite a final crash within sight of the finish line that blocked a big part of the field preventing several riders from participating in the sprint. In the end, it was Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal), who won the sprint, while Peter Sagan placed second just behind.

Tinkoff-Saxo’s sports director Steven de Jongh told after the stage that he was happy with the team performance.

“I think we can be very happy today, as we managed to stay out of trouble and avoid the crashes in the final lap. Unfortunately we missed the stage win but Peter was up to the task today and he feels better every day. That is a positive and encouraging point. The other positive thing is that, as a group, our guys stayed well together and kept Alberto out of trouble”, comments de Jongh.

Peter Sagan took six bonus seconds on the line, which brings him within plain sight of the overall leader’s jersey, as he trails with less than a second up to Adriano Malori (Movistar). Maciej Bodnar sits 6th still two seconds off the lead.