Belgian Tim Merlier won a sprint finish to win the second stage of the Giro d'Italia on Sunday. Merlier, riding for Alpecin, finished ahead of European champion Giacomo Nizzolo of Italy. Italy's Filippo Ganna of Ineos holds the leader's pink jersey after the 179-kilometre run between Stupinigi near Turin to Novara in Piedmont. ea/gj