2023-07-02 17:23:56
By @amatiz12
Victor Lafay (Cofidis) won the second stage of the 2023 Tour de France, drawn over 208.9 km from Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastián. The astute Frenchman took the lead in the last kilometer and pulled enough light to beat Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogacar, who with bonuses extended his lead over Jonas Vingegaard.
(Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
After a frantic start, three riders led the way: Neilson Powless (EFE), Edvlad Boasson Hagen (TEN) and Rémi Cavagna (SOQ). The trio reached 4’30” ahead, although without really posing a threat to the favourites, who once again wanted stage victory.
Along the way, Powless took center stage not only collecting points for the mountain -of which he will be the leader for a few days- but also being the strongest of that break, since he would arrive with up to 2′ ahead of the final ascent, now without the company of norwegian or french
However, his mattress would go quickly with Jumbo-Visma’s fierce tackle on Jaizekibel, who he wanted to harden for Jonas Vingegaard. But, as happened yesterday, the train that would prevail would be that of the UAE, which with Grosschartner and Majka took control and made the selection in the traditional promotion of the Clásica de San Sebastián.
Again they reduced the lot to about twenty units, until the leader Adam Yates released his leader, Tadej Pogacar, who went in search of the 8″ bonus that was at the top. He followed at the wheel of him Jonas Vingegaard, who added 5″ to minimize damage, while the other Yates, Simon, took 2″.
Slovenian and Danish continued long and the one from the UAE wanted to collaborate, contrary to that of Jumbo, who did not take over to allow the regrouping of the stragglers, among whom was Van Aert. Poor in attitude, but successful in strategy.
Once the group was compacted, a man from home wanted to do his thing: Pello Bilbao. The Basque, taking advantage of his ability to descend, opened a small gap that he tried to maintain once the terrain flattened out. However, with the pursuit of Jumbo in full swing, it became impossible for him and he ended up being neutralized.
When everything seemed to be defined in the sprint, one of yesterday’s surprises appeared, Victor Lafay, who through a perfect reading of the race, waited until the last kilometer to spend his bullet with a powerful change of pace with which he anticipated the two greats. favorites to win.
Aware that he would not equal them in a traditional sprint, he jumped from before and accommodated a difference, which despite the sprint from Wout and Tadej, was impossible to overcome. A quality victory that certifies that yesterday in Pike, had not been a coincidence. He is in great shape.
Tomorrow the caravan will leave for French soil with a 193.5 km journey from Amorebieta-Etxano that leads to Bayonne and which will surely be the first massive packaging of this edition. Soon you will be able to access more details and predictions in the PREVIOUS SECTION.
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Alejandro Matiz
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