UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar powers to Giro d'Italia win and takes overall lead

It has not taken long for UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar to make his mark in this year's Giro d'Italia.

The Slovenian, who is bidding to become the first man to win the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double since Marco Pantani in 1998, finished third after a sprint finish in Saturday's opening stage.

But pre-race favouritePogacar made no mistake 24 hours later when he launched a powerful breakaway near the end of Stage 2's final punishing climb, surging clear with his trademark swagger.

It was a finish made all the more impressive when you consider the two-time Tour de France winner suffered a puncture 11 kilometres from the finish and crashed after a corner, right in front of his team car, which almost hit him.

His UAE Team Emirates teammates worked to get him back into the reduced peloton, with Rafal Majka the last teammate in line to set up his winning attack with 4.5km to go.

Key rival Geraint Thomas gave up the ghost after a short-lived attempt to keep up with Pogacar, who rolled into Oropa and took control of a race which already looks like his to lose.

Pogacar finished 27 seconds ahead of Daniel Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), stripping the pink jersey for the lead in the general classification from Saturday's winner Jhonatan Narvaez.

Only two other riders are within a minute of Pogacar who looked in ominous form as he secured his first ever stage victory in the Giro.