Felix Gall finished as a seventh in Sterzing and is now 45 seconds behind the leading one.
On the second stage of the Tour of the Alps, Michael Sporer entered the winner list. The Australian, who lives in Italy, was second to the overall ranking in April 2022 on the Stockerl. At that time the race also ended in Lienz!
With a sudden attack on the short but demanding increase to Obertelfe, Sporer won the 178 -kilometer -long stage from Mezzolombardo in Trentino to Sterzing in South Tyrol. He literally left the competition and slipped into the green jersey of the overall leader.
In the sprint for second place, the young Frenchman Paul Seixas (Decathlon-AG2R), already third in San Lorenzo Dorsino, prevailed against his more experienced compatriot Romain Bardet (Picnic-Postnl). Fourth, Davide Piganzoli (Polti-Visitmalta), before the winner of the previous day, Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) was fifth, Jai Hindley (Redbull-Bora) six.
Felix Gall passed the finish line as seventh and rated this result:
In the overall ranking, Storer leads to Seixas and Ciccone with a 41 second lead. Gall follows 45 seconds behind, brewed with 47 and Hindley with 51 seconds. In contrast, Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious), one of the favorites on the green jersey, had to give up his ambitions due to persistent stomach problems. He got out of the stage race.
Michael Storer Seizes Lead at Tour of the Alps: An Expert Analysis
Time.news: Welcome, cycling fans! Today we’re diving into the exciting developments at the Tour of the Alps. Michael StorerS impressive Stage 2 victory has shaken up the overall standings,and we’re here to dissect it all. I’m joined by noted cycling analyst, Dr. Anya Sharma, to get her expert insights. Dr. Sharma, thanks for being with us.
Dr. Anya Sharma: It’s a pleasure to be here
Time.news: Dr. Sharma, Michael Storer’s name wasn’t necessarily at the top of everyone’s list of potential winners before the race. He secured second overall back in April 2022.What can you tell us about his performance in Stage 2 and its significance in the broader context of the Tour of the Alps 2025?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Storer’s victory in Stage 2 was a testament to tactical awareness and raw power. His late attack on the demanding climb to Obertelfe was perfectly timed, catching the other contenders off guard. That kind of decisive move indicates he’s arrived at peak form and is targeting the overall victory. Given his previous result in Lienz, there’s clearly a connection between his strengths and the terrain. It’s a statement that he is a strong contender in the Tour of the Alps GC battle, for the General Classification.
Time.news: Paul Seixas took second place in the sprint, ahead of Romain bardet. What does this second place mean for Seixas, and do you see this as a pivotal moment for his career?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Absolutely. Securing a second-place finish against experienced riders like Bardet is a massive confidence booster for a young rider like Seixas. It validates his talent and shows he can compete at the highest level. We might even catch him winning his own stage, who knows? This result will undoubtedly put him on the radar of other teams and open doors for future opportunities. Decathlon-AG2R should be very happy.
Time.news: Felix Gall finished seventh on the stage and is now 45 seconds behind Storer in the General Classification. How do you assess his performance so far, and what are his chances of bridging that gap in the coming stages? How bad are his chances?
Dr. Anya sharma: Gall’s seventh-place finish is respectable, but he’ll need to be more aggressive if he wants to challenge for the overall lead. The 45-second deficit isn’t insurmountable, especially in a mountainous race like the Tour of the Alps. He’ll need to look for opportunities to attack on the climbs and exploit any weaknesses in Storer’s team. He’s clearly capable, but he needs to capitalize on tactical advantages. In other words, better positioning and smart moves.
Time.news: key GC contender, Antonio Tiberi, unfortunatly had to withdraw from the race due to stomach issues. How does his withdrawal influence the race dynamics and who benefits the most?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Tiberi’s withdrawal is a significant blow for Bahrain-Victorious and a loss for the Tour of the Alps overall. As one of the pre-race favorites, his absence opens the door for other contenders like Gall, Hindley, and of course, Storer himself. His team will need to reshuffle their strategy and focus on supporting a different rider, which can be disruptive. It also reduces the number of strong riders willing to set tempo at the front, potentially leading to more unpredictable racing.
Time.news: Storer leads Seixas and ciccone by 41 seconds. What kind of terrain do you think will favor Storer in helping him maintain his lead?
dr. Anya Sharma: Storer’s victory on a hilly stage shows that he excels on those short, steep gradients. The remaining stages of the Tour of the Alps route will determine who comes out on top, of course. but Storer’s a solid rider and with the right support, he could actually add time onto his lead.Climbers will try to make him crack, but that will be easier said then done.
Time.news: Thanks for all the great insights, Dr. Sharma.
Dr. Anya sharma: My pleasure.