2022 Itzulia Basque Country Stage 2 Results & Recap
Stage 2 of the 2022 Itzulia Basque Country is in the books. The final results and standings are below, followed by our recap of how the race unfolded.
Race Recap
Julian Alaphilippe dominates the sprint in the first stage of the Tour of the Basque Country 2022. Perfectly launched by Remco Evenepoel, who catches up in the last 500 meters a brave Ibon Ruiz, who started from kilometer zero, the world champion wins almost by detachment at the finish line in Vania . Behind him are Fabien Doubey (TotalEnergies) and Quinten Hermans (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert) to complete the podium of a day that therefore does not change the general classification, which always sees Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) in the lead, in front of the couple Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl composed by Evenepoel and Remi Cavagna.
Although there were many who wanted and feared escape, the first attempt of the day is the good one, with Ibon Ruiz (EKP), Ander Okamika (BBH), Julen Amezqueta (CJR) and Ibai Azurmendi (EUS) who are quickly let go. Starting from kilometer zero, the four Spaniards can therefore manage their effort right from the start, with the Jumbo - Visma taking on all the work behind them. The rhythm of the Dutch formation is immediately regular, however allowing the attackers to progressively accumulate a five-minute haul at the end of the ascent of Lazarraga, the highest point of the day, placed after sixty kilometers. After having given a first shake in the descent, the group takes again ground, thus allowing another minute until arriving at the first TV of the day, in Lodosa, with a delay of almost six minutes.
At that point Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl intervenes , which gives a decisive acceleration, quickly halving the gap and continuing on this momentum in the approach to the last climb of the day, which begins after passing for the first time in Viana, the city of arrival. At the Flying Finish Line located there, the gap is thus reduced to 1'14 ", but during the climb no one takes the initiative anymore, with the four forwards who manage to gain again, crossing the hill, just under 30 kilometers from the finish line, with an advantage of 1'30 ", reduced only later to a sprint by Mauri Vansevenant (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), immediately stopped by Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers), followed by the rest of the group. During the subsequent descent the group decides to take it easy again, arriving to have a margin that exceeds two minutes, thus obviously giving new hope to the attackers. meters and decides to continue alone. While there is no understanding behind him, the young Basque insists on his action, keeping a 12-second advantage that his former adventure companions are no longer able to fill. Meanwhile, new accelerations begin from the group, with Caja Rural - RGA, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl and Bahrain - Victorious taking the lead, thus also canceling an attempted counterattack born five kilometers from the conclusion. With some snags to complicate the fugitives' lives, the group quickly made money, going to take back all the men behind Ibon Ruiz two kilometers from the conclusion. to rise to the chair. The Belgian phenomenon sets a frenzied pace until he resumes the brave Ruiz at 500 meters from the finish line, launching Julian Alaphilippe in perfect position, who only has to finish with a sprint without history.
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