The 2nd stage is already one of the hardest. Just 122km but no single flat part. It`s an up and down all over the route. Especially the favourites must be concentrated the whole day to avoid unnecessary time gaps.
Froome
and Ben Nasser
are the best puncheurs and have best chances to do well on these hilly criteriums.
But also the favourites around Gadret, De la Fuente, Kessiakoff, Augustyn, Nimiec need to hang on these two.
Race leader Aramendia will have a hard task to defend the jersey.
Vorganov with an early attack. This comes a bit surprising as he was one of todays pre stage favourite. Redbull surely puts a lot of pressure on the other teams that early.
He is joined by climber Rutkiewitz and Japanese sprinter Arashiro.
No question the crowd is getting loud now.
The peloton, lead by Team Bianchi seems to be happy with this group and allows them to extend the gap.
Vorganov takes the first of 4 KoM sprints ahead of Arashiro and Rutkiewitz.
At the same time a first split in the peloton on the hills. Biggest names caught behind Martinez, Doi, Lewis, Veloso, Moinard, Moreno, Gadret and Sousa.
So especially RedBull was failing a lot with all their top riders being behind.
But thanks to their strong squd in this 2nd group they found contact soon afterwards again. So no worry.
Reaching the 2nd KoM it`s Arashiro this time ahead of Rutkiewitz and Vorganov taking the big points.
Some riders are in big trouble. All 3 climbers by Oz Cycling struggle. Thuaux, Lewis and Khalmuratov are at the very end splitting now.
At least Bobridge can still stay in the peloton.
It`s either Mazur or Vantournout, who is doing the pace here. Both are doing a great job changing their task sometimes bringing other riders in big troubles. The peloton is already down to 46 riders with 60km to go and a gap just under 2minutes.
That`s also the points where Kairelis attacks out of the pack. Although EmuExport has Rutkiewitz in the breakaway they obviously want to be more aggressive.
His attempts had no success as he was already caught 2km later.
Vorganov again taking the KoM sprint ahead of Arashiro and Rutkiewitz. First two are equal with 14 points while last only collected 8 points so far with 1 more sprint to come.
No chance for the breakaway today. All 3 are already been caught with 40km to go due to the fast pace all over the stage.
Still not fast enough for EmuExport. With 35km to go it`s Augustyn attacking. As podium contender the other teams can`t allow him a big gap.
It`s mainly Ferrari but also Bianchi and CSC doing some work now. Augustyn`s gap isn`t that big yet but he is really fighting.
Bad luck for Sonnery. As one of the last fast men in the favourite group he crashes and won`t get a chance for a possible stage win today.
Seeing the dangerous situation, it`s RedBull doing the pace now by sending Moreno and Moinard into the lead. That`s a terrific speed now with two possible top 10 overall riders.
Augustyn still leading the race by some seconds taking the last KoM ahead of Moinard and Appleby, who are working behind now.
With 16km to go some team leaders are falling back. It`s Martinez, who must have a weak day and Sousa, who wasn`t expected to stay with the very best until the end.
Also the yellow jersey of Aramendia is falling back now. This wasn`t unexpected. More unexpected are some other names in big problems now. Gil Bobridge Veloso Sano
Gil did not wait for Aramendia, so surely he must have some other problem or just a really bad day. At least De la Fuente is still ahead together with Vantournout.
The peloton is down to 17 with 13km to go, when Augustyn is caught. Froome, Appleby De la Fuente Gadret, Moreno, Moinard, Vorganov Lloyd, Doi, Arashiro Augustyn Kessiakoff Nimiec, Pozzo Ben Nasser Proni Costa
(De Maar and Possoni just felt back)
With 12km to go it`s Froome with the first late attack opening the final.
De la Fuente is the first rider to react but several riders accelerate behind.
Especially Augustyn is going all-in following the Spaniard.
Former breakaway riders Arashiro and Vorganov fall behind with Pozzo. Still open, who will wear the KoM shirt afterwards.
Rumors are saying the Japanese officials surely give it to Arashiro.
Froome, De la Fuente and Augustyn created a small gap. Highly time for Gadret to counter. But it`S just 4km to go. Maybe too late?
Froome is starting the sprint first. It`s lightly going uphill, so good for a puncheur without any sprint skills.
De la Fuente and Augustyn probably won`t bring him back, but they are fighting for every second.
Big win for Rapha`s Froome taking the stage and overall lead. Congrats to a fantastic attack by him.
De la Fuente still the big winner losing just 14s to him being 2nd but gaining 13s on Augustyn and more on all other pre race favourites.
Kessiakoff gets 4th being in a small group together with Niemiec and Moreno 51s behind Froome. These 3 also gained some time on other favourites due to a strong sprint.
Ben Nasser sprints on the 7th gaining a bit time on the next.
Gadret being one of todays losers as he finishes within the next bigger group already 1'22 behind.
Even worse Koldo Gil, who lost more than 4min today almost losing the race on the first day.
Although these short criteriums prove to be too tough for many riders as several felt out of the time limit today. A list below the results.
