2019 Tour of Utah Stage 2 Results & Recap
Stage 2 of the 2019 Tour of Utah is in the books. The final results and standings are below, followed by our recap of how the race unfolded.
Race Recap
One of the biggest question marks hovering over the 2019 Tour of Utah was resolved when Ben Hermans (Israel Cycling Academy) rumbled up to the top of Powder Mountain. The Belgian rider symbolically tapped the black armband in remembrance of fellow countryman Bjorg Lambrecht as he crossed the finish line and landed in the yellow leader’s jersey.
Taking the role of the Queen stage at this year’s event the 139.9km mile/km trek to the top of one of Utah’s legendary snow destinations winnowed the field down to a select group of climbers that included the likes of James Piccoli (team), Nicholas Eg (Trek-Segafredo) and his teammate Peter Stetina. Piccoli who held huge aspirations coming into the race, is now only 22 seconds behind Hermans and will no doubt be placing a large target on the back of the 33 year-old rider’s back for the remainder of the week.
The importance of the stage was evident from the start of stage 2 when the field was unwilling to let a break form for well over an hour into today’s racing. When a band of hopefuls finally managed to escape, the move of the day featured Miká Heming (TDA), Ignacio Prado (CAS), Quinten Kirby (WGC), Austin Stephens (303), Travis Samuel (DCB) and Christopher Heider (TDA).
The mood in the break was decidedly as cooperation waned periodically amongst the getaway riders. One thing that couldn’t be contested was Ignacio Prado’s desire to win the (King of the Mountains) trophy for the Canel’s team. Prado attacked to put points in his jersey pocket to the additional 12 points he began with on the day. Ultimately however, Hermans would also add the KOM jersey to his spoils because of the HC classification of thePowder Mountain finish.
166 and 155 proved to be the lone survivors of the move and fought fiercely with one another until the bitter end, while the peloton bore down on them. Once the catch was made the tension in the field began to climb with the terrain. All concerned expected the eventual launch from Stetina that would signal the decisive phase of the day. With alarm bells ringing behind him, the 32-year-old Californian made for the steep 16% max grades that led to the summit. Behind him Murphy, Piccoli, Hermans and Dombrowski all responded. And while Stetina looked solid in his attempt, he clearly went a touch to early as Piccoli and Hermans kept at his heels until his eventual surrender. \n
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