André Greipel came out on top in a bunch sprint to win the second stage of this year’s Giro d’Italia and take the overall race leader’s jersey.

The German got the better of Roberto Ferrari and Jasper Stuyven in the 221km stage from Olbia to Tortolì in a time of just over six hours. Greipel stayed with the peloton throughout the medium mountain stage and was first over the line for his seventh career Giro stage win. Overall the Lotto-Soudal rider has a four-second advantage over Lukas Pöstlberger, winner of the first stage, and is eight seconds clear of Orica-Scott’s Caleb Ewan.

Australia’s Ewan has suffered a frustrating start to the Giro, losing out to Pöstlberger on Friday and colliding with Fernando Gaviria while well-placed in Saturday’s sprint.

Greipel said: “This is a really good one of course. It wasn’t an easy day with the head wind. It made a six hours’ race but it also played in our favour. Otherwise there would have been some attacks.

“I’m really proud to win at the Giro again. I’m glad to win for my team-mates who worked for me since yesterday. This stage win and the pink jersey are for them and also for my mother.”

Sunday’s stage takes the riders from Tortolì to Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari. After a rest day the race will resume in Sicily on Tuesday.