Mathieu van der Poel won the second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico race on Tuesday, pipping new overall leader Isaac del Toro in an exciting three-way dash to the line.
Dutchman Van der Poel charged to the finish in San Gimignano just as local hope Giulio Pellizzari made his bid for victory with 300 metres remaining in the 206km stage from Camaiore.
Pellizzari ended up third in a tight finale in slippy conditions, in a race which was decided on a gravel section near the end styled on the Strade Bianche classic won by Tadej Pogacar on Saturday.
UAE Team Emirates rider Del Toro leads the general classification by just three seconds over Pellizzari, with Van der Poel over a minute off the pace following his leisurely display in Monday's individual time trial.
On Wednesday the peloton take on the long, hilly third stage which snakes for 221 kilometres between Cortona and Magliano de' Marsi.