(AFP) – France's Julian Alaphilippe took the Tirreno-Adriatico second stage on Thursday as Briton Adam Yates claimed the overall leader's blue jersey.

Alaphilippe, who rides for the Deceuninck-Quick-Step team, prevailed in a sprint finish to the 195-kilometre ride from Camaiore to Pomarance.

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Belgian Greg Van Avermaet and Italy's Alberto Bettiol followed Alaphilippe, who won last weekend's Strade Bianche, across the line.

"I'm so happy. Yesterday we lost lots of time so I wanted to try and win a stage and today was a good occasion to do that," said Alaphilippe.

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"I gave everything to win it, I surprise myself day after day."

Fifth-placed Yates, whose brother Simon won the Paris-Nice fifth-stage time-trial also on Thursday, heads the general classification from American Brent Bookwalter and Primoz Roglic of Slovenia.

"Today's finish doesn't suit me but I still managed to finish in the leading group," said Yates.

Friday's third stage favouring the sprinters is a 226km ride from Pomarance to Foligno.