Italians finish 1,2, but Dennis takes pink jersey

TEL AVIV– Elia Viviani, racing for the Quick-Step Floors team and the hot favorite for Stage 2, won an expected bunch gallop in Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean seaside, while Jakub Mareczko (Wilier Triestina – Selle Italia) gave Italians first and second place in Saturday’s results for the Giro d’Italia.

Despite their impressive showings, it was an Australian, Rohan Dennis of the BMC Racing Team, who moved into the lead. Dennis won the only intermediate sprint, which afforded him a time bonus that dethroned Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb), yesterday’s Stage 1 winner. With his standing today, Dennis became the ninth Australian to wear the Maglia Rosa (pink jersey) and the 23rd cyclist to lead all three Grand Tours.

The third and final day of racing in Israel for the Giro d’Italia commences Sunday at Beersheva.