The Orica-Scott rider launched the late attack on the final few hundred metres of the stage and managed to hold off the challenges of Maximiliano Richeze of Argentina and Belgium's Sean De Bie to cross the line first in 4 hours 35.22min.

Richeze of Quick-Step Floors finished in second place while De Bie, who rides for Lotto-Soudal, rounded off the top three as the group made their way from Iruñea to Eltziego.

Albasini’s former team-mate Michael Matthews of Australia missed out on the top three but maintained his position as overall leader following his success in stage one.

Uruguay's Fabricio Ferrari and Luis Angel Maté of Spain led the early breakaway and were around four minutes ahead of the rest of the field at halfway.

Matthews and his Team Sunweb squad began to reel them in, however.

They managed to catch them with 16 kilometres to go before Movistar and Orica-Scott took over towards the end and set the pace in the dying stages.

Albasini timed his attack to perfection, however, launching from the group with 300m remaining.

He managed to keep his rivals at bay around the final corner and crossed the line first for his maiden victory of the season.

Action is set to continue tomorrow with the third leg of the race, which will see the field travel from Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastián, with the six-day International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour race set to conclude on Saturday (April 8).