As promised, Fabian Cancellara tried to make use of the opportunities that offered themselves during the second stage of the Giro d'Italia. He detected his chance when he attacked one kilometre before the finish in Trieste But the man from Berne was unable to bring the attack home.

In the final spurt, Alessandro Petacchi emerged as the strongest.

The Italian put the favourite, British rider Mark Cavendish, in his place.

Cavendish will however wear the leader's jersey on Monday. The third stage on Monday will be over predominantly flat ground before the riders are pushed harder for the first time on Tuesday with the arrival of the first mountain.