Italian Raffaele Illiano (Diquigiovanni-Androni) won the second stage of Tirreno-Adriatico on Thursday, edging out countryman Enrico Gasparotto (Barloworld) in a sprint finish.

Niklas Axelsson (Diquigiovanni-Androni) was third.

The trio, with German Linus Gerdemann (Team High Road) and Saunier Duval teammates Riccardo Ricco and Eros Capecchi, went clear of the peloton on the last climb of the day, about 25km from the finale of the 203km leg from Civitavecchia to Gubbio.

Illiano had actually been involved in a crash on Wednesday's first stage and was riding with five stitches, but he still had the strength to come through at the finish.

"I'm more than happy, I've been waiting for this victory for seven years," Illiano told Rai TV. "There are so many people I have to thank. I worked hard for this victory, I always had faith and I think it paid off."

Barloworld's Gasparetto, meanwhile, consoled himself for missing out on the stage win by claiming the leader's red and yellow jersey.

Race favorites Daniele Di Luca and Paolo Savoldelli (LPR) and Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC) came home 40 seconds behind the winner.