World champion Julian Alaphilippe of France won the second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy on Thursday for his third win in the 'Race of the Two Seas'. Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel was second ahead of Belgian Wout Van Aert, who retains the overall lead, after the 202km run from Camaiore with an uphill finish to Chiusdino. Slovenian Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar was fourth. "It's a special feeling. The team believed in me today and I am happy that I was able to repay them," said Alaphilippe, who also won two stages in 2019. "I didn't know what was going on behind me, but when I saw Joao (Almeida) ahead of me, I knew I would win." ea/iwd