Stage 2 is flat with no KOMs, but a nasty hill in the final part of the stage that could shake up the sprinters and the GC. Let's see.
Kluge is the first trying to enter the breakaway and is being followed by Cemazar. Oss and Chaiyasombat are also attacking.
Chaiyasombat is giving it another go, with Visser behind him.
Nothing has worked so far. Now it's Müller, Leknessund and Oss.
We are at the 1st intermediate sprint now and the latest breakaway attempt is by De Gendt, Müller and Balloni as they go across the line.
That's the move that stuck as the 3 riders built a 3 minute about 50 km into the stage.
The early chasing work in the peloton is being done by Binance for Kennaugh and Gjensidige for Appollonio.
The gap is still at 3 minutes as the escapees pass the 2nd intermediate sprint with 78 km remaining.
The peloton has now closed the gap to 1'19'' with 36 km to go. The last intermediate sprint is dealt with.
De Gendt is just about to be caught in the final 10 km. Just as we hit the final uncategorised hill before the finish.
The GC favorites are trying to make this a difficult stage for the sprinters. Izagirre accelerates and is followed by Rosskopf and Fernandes.
Izagirre has a minimal gap as he goes over the top of this hill with 4 km to go. Behind him are mostly other puncheurs while most of the sprinters are a bit further back. Still one big group though.
2 km to go. Izagirre is giving it all he's got! Fernandes is the one chasing him down.
In the final kilometer and Izagirre is looking great. Fernandes has actually opened his own gap while chasing.
Ion Izagirre can take the time to celebrate, he's won the stage! He forced the issue today and kept going. A superb solo win.
Fernandes comes in 2nd 8'' behind the winner. Binance might have targeted this stage for Kennaugh, but they got a great result and put Fernandes in a great GC position.
Kalaba comes in 3rd. He's given a 15'' gap as does the rest of this group. Still some important bonus seconds for the sprinter with GC ambitions. Kennaugh has to settle for 4th.
Prasad finishes 5th ahead of teammate Matthews. Colbrelli 7th and Keough 8th.
In the GC Izagirre looks in control with 10'' ahead of Fernandes and 22'' ahead of Kalaba before tomorrow's hilly stage. Which on paper should favor him even more. Fernandes takes over the points jersey and Kalaba the best young rider's jersey.
Jelajah SKL - Stage 2 
