Cycling-Pogacar powers into Maglia Rosa with Giro stage win

Cycling - Giro d'Italia - Stage 2 - San Francesco al Campo to Santuario di Oropa - Italy - May 5, 2024 UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar crosses the finish line to win stage 2 REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

(Reuters) - Race favourite Tadej Pogacar made light of a mechanical problem to blast into the lead of the Giro d'Italia with victory on the summit finish to the 161km second stage on Sunday.

The Slovenian suffered a puncture at the foot of the steep 11km climb to Santuario di Oropa but he was helped back into the group by his team mates before launching a devastating solo attack.