Marcel Kittel (GER) has scored a giant second stage win in as many days at the Giro d’Italia, taking an impressive last gasp victory on Stage 3 of the race after it looked as if he had too much ground to make up in the finishing sprint.

The race came back together in the final kilometres but in the fast, technical run in to the finish, Marcel lost his teammates and had to take the final kilometre on his own. Jumping out of about seventh wheel after the final corner, he came through in the closing metres to snatch victory from under the nose of the other sprinters; a perfect way to celebrate his 26th birthday.

Marcel Kittel (GER)

„I came here with the goal to win the first stage and after that the pressure is off slightly but today was not easy and it was really close at the finish.

„The road got really narrow with two kilometres to go and we knew that we had to be in front here and we were but I got sandwiched and it was a choice of letting go of Tom’s wheel or probably crashing. This put me out of position slightly and a bit far back but I was never going to give up on the chance to win a stage.

„When I could see the finish line after the final corner I gave it everything and it was really close but I just concentrated on the line and managed to come past everyone.

„The Giro is really special to me and it is extra special to win on your birthday. I must thank my teammates for the work they did for me again today. We can have a day of down time now before targeting the next flat stages in Italy.“