Boonen gets his first ever victory in Italy on Thursday, at Tirreno-Adriatico

Quick Step’s Tom Boonen won Thursday’s second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico, outsprinting Paul Martens (Rabobank) and Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) at the end of the 165-kilometer stage.

The win was satisfying for the Belgian, who dropped his chain near the finale of stage 1.

“”I’m extremely satisfied. Throughout my career I’ve won at all latitudes, a little all over the world, but I had never won in Italy,” said Boonen.

“I like Italy a lot and I also like Italian races; with this success I’ve made up for a little something that was missing on my resume, and I’m really happy.”

American Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions) was 13th on the stage and sits 12th in the overall.

Linus Gerdemann (Milram) remains in the overall lead, tied on time with Boonen.

“We worked hard today to defend the blue jersey,“ said Milram director Christian Henn. “We were able to accomplish this and of course are happy to continue to lead. Tomorrow will be a similar day to today, from profile as well as from our assignments.“

A four-rider group was off the front for much of the stage.  Spaniard Alan Perez (Euskaltel), Mikhail Ignatiev (Katusha) of Russia and the two Italians Diego Caccia (ISD-Neri) and Alan Marangoni (Colnago-CSF Inox)had a large gap on the Milram-led peloton. Approaching the finale, FDJeux got serious about the chase with 40 km to go and the quartet was caught 4km from the end.