Stage 2 is the first opportunity for the puncheurs. The profile should make it a good one fpr the punchy sprinters.
The race starts with the first KoM climb. McCambridge takes the maximum points in front of his teammate Warbasse and Orue. This could also be the break of the day once the race has settled down.
The three attackers form indeed today’s break. The order at the first sprint is Warbasse, Orue and McCambridge.
It’s the same order at the second sprint. The gap is just under 2 minutes with 52 km to go, it doesn’t look great for the attackers.
Shortly afterwards McCambridge is done for the day.
So are his two former companions in the next climb. The points on the top are taken by Langellotti, Basso and Demare. There’s also been a split in the chase. Many sprinters are caught as well as many of the second tier puncheurs who were also dropped yesterday.
The peloton is entering the final climb. Korosec and Demare are good positioned in between the domestiques working at the front.
Moscon attacks with 1 km to climb! Van Niekerk and Storer are on his wheel.
The three make it to the top (at that order), but the chasers are only 10’’ behind.
With 5.5 km to go it’s all downhill from now. The gap is still there. Oliveira leads the chase and he’s in a good position if the catch is made as Demare as the next fast man is quite some positions behind him.
The catch is made shortly afterwards and a group of 18 is now in front. All the major puncheurs should be in there. Apart from Oliveira and Demare Korosec is the only sprinter in this group.
Under the red kite Korosec is in the lead and it’s his stage to lose! Oliveira is only in 6th position and Demare is even further behind. Meanwhile the split is undone.
It’s an easy win for Korosec in the end! On top his teammate Rota makes it a 1-2 today. Kipkemboi finishes in 3rd.
The remaining time bonuses are taken by Van der Poel, Pibernik, Vakoc, Stannard, Oliveira, Govekar and Storer.
Congratulations to Korosec who once again shows what great rider he is! Demare remains the GC and points leader.
[C1] Tour Down Under 
