Contrini will wear the yellow jersey on Monday's 160km third stage

Contrini went ahead after 50km of the 165km stage and finished five minutes and three seconds clear of the peloton.

Countryman Daniele Bennati was second ahead of Germany's Erik Zabel, earning a six-second time bonus in the process.

That gave the Lampre rider the leader's yellow jersey from opening stage winner Tom Boonen of Belgium.

"This is a great win for both me and the LPR team and I'll remember it for a long time," said the 31-year-old Contrini.

"LPR isn't a ProTour team and we were invited to ride the Tour of Switzerland because the team is registered here.

"I think we've shown we deserved our place and that there are also good teams and good riders outside of the ProTour."

Contrini said he had worked hard for the win.

"I made a counter-attack after 50 kms and luckily the peloton didn't chase me and I opened a 15-minute lead," he said.

"It was very hard because the stage was on rolling roads and there was a lot of wind. Fortunately, my team helped me and encouraged me and so I dug deep and kept going.

"At the finish I had cramps everywhere but it's a huge win for me and for the team."

The nine-day Tour of Switzerland continues on Monday with the 160-km third stage from Einsiedeln to Arlesheim.

The race ends in Bern next Sunday with a 30-km individual time trial.