It was a calm stage with a long breakaway group and an excepted bunch sprint. BORA – hansgrohe defended the team classification and Michael Schwarzmann took 11th place in today´s second stage.
The second stage took the riders from Pamplona to Eltziego over 173km with two categorized climbs and another tricky final after yesterday´s exciting stage end. The last kilometers of the race included some short hilly sections followed by a descent to the finish. A final that suited the sprinters in the peloton again.
From drop of the flag, the day´s breakaway formed as a duo went up the road. After 60 kilometers of racing they had a gap of 4 minutes to the main bunch. BORA – hansgrohe stayed in the peloton, protecting sprinter Michael Schwarzmann for the final. In front of the peloton Team Sunweb took control over the pace to protect the leader jersey.
With 25 kilometers remaining, on the last lap, the peloton caught the escapees. BORA – hansgrohe rode all the time together and tried on the last kilometers to form a lead-out for Michael Schwarzmann. Unfortunately, they were blocked by the other sprinter teams.
In the excepted bunch sprint, BORA – hansgrohe was in a top ten position but ORICA – Scott rider Michael Albasini was the fastest man today and took the stage win. Best BORA – hansgrohe rider was Michael Schwarzmann, who finished in 11th place. The whole team defended their first place in the team classification and is still best team at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco.
“We will talk about today´s stage but I think the boys were blocked on the last kilometers, therefore they weren´t able to form a lead-out, in that case it´s difficult to sprint for a podium.” – Steffen Radochla, sports director
