The second day of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya ended with another bunch sprint. After the breakaway of the day was caught, the race went on fire. In the finale, BORA – hansgrohe rider Gregor Mühlberger led the race and set the pace for his teammate Jay McCarthy. He was in a good position but in the final metres A. Valverde made his move and took the win. The BORA – hansgrohe rider finished, like yesterday, in third position but moved up second in the GC.
The Stage
The second stage of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya took the riders from Mataró to Valls over 175km. A categorised climb (Cat. 3) awaited the peloton right after the start. Two intermediate sprints were at the 100 and 150 kilometres mark. Shortly before the finish, the peloton had to pass another categorised climb.
The Team Tactics
After yesterday´s good results the team was more than motivated to give it another try. For the second stage the German Team worked for Jay McCarthy, the winner of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race.
The Race
From drop of the flag, the day´s breakaway formed as a trio went up the road. After 30km of racing the trio had an advantage of more than three minutes. Team BORA – hansgrohe were represented in the peloton. It was Quick-Step Floors, who took control over the main bunch and tried to keep the gap low. With 72km remaining, the breakaway was forced to stop at a level crossing but after some minutes they were able to move on and the peloton was held to re-establish the gap. The group in front of the race worked good together but with 47km remaining the escapees were caught. BORA – hansgrohe stayed together in the back of the pack to save energy for the finale. 40km before the finish, one rider launched an attack from the main bunch and distanced himself with some seconds advantage. Team Movistar set the pace and shortly before the last climb of the day the race was back together.
On the climb the race fell apart, but BORA – hansgrohe riders Gregor Mühlberger and Jay McCarthy were in the first group. In the finale, Gregor Mühlberger led the race and made the pace for his teammate Jay McCarthy. Jay gave it all but in the final metres A. Valverde (Team Movistar) made his move and took the win ahead of D. Impey (Mitchelton-Scott). BORA – hansgrohe rider Jay McCarthy finished on third place. Due to this result, Jay moved up second in the GC, four seconds behind the new leader Valverde.
Results
A. Valverde 4:41:50
D. Impey +0:00
J. McCarthy +0:00
From the Finish Line
“Yesterday, Jay made a really long and strong lead-out for Sam and finished third, which showed his shape. Today´s stage was a stage for Jay and his skills, so we supported him as best as possible. The guys worked good together and, in the finale, Gregor did a great lead-out for Jay. It´s a pity that we missed the victory but I think, we can be satisfied that we have achieved another podium result. For the upcoming mountain stages, we have with Davide and Gregor strong riders in our line-up and we are confident to accomplish some good results.” – Christian Pömer, sports director
“The boys did an awesome job the whole day. Especially Gregor did a great lead-out for me. I was on the 4th wheel, as we came out of the last corner but unfortunately the sprint was too long for me to go for the victory. Valverde and Impey were able to pass me on the final metres. I am looking forward to help Gregor and Davide in the upcoming mountain stages.” – Jay McCarthy
