This is my favorite stage, says Pedersen with a smile in Eurosport's broadcast.
Despite a hilly stage, it became a sprint finish, even though many strong sprinters fell away along the way.
The plan was to ride hard in the climb to get a smaller group, says Pedersen, who cycles for the Lidl-Trek team.
This is the first time that the cycling-strong nation of Denmark has a male cyclist in the pink leader's jersey, writes news agency Ritzau.
Defending champion Tadej Pogacar, Slovenia, is skipping this year's Giro d'Italia and is instead aiming for the Tour de France, which starts on July 5.
Saturday's time trial is also being held in Tirana and Sunday's third stage is also being held in Albania. Stage four (Tuesday) is being held between Alberobello and Lecce in Italy.
