2024 Itzulia Basque Country Stage 2 Results & Recap
Stage 2 of the 2024 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
The peloton tackled a demanding second stage through the Basque hills today, and it was Remco Evenepoel who announced himself as a major contender for overall victory with an impressive display of climbing and time trialling abilities combined into one powerful performance.
The stage featured a challenging parcours with several categorised climbs before a summit finish, and from early on it was clear that the general classification contenders were eager to test each other. A breakaway group went clear in the opening kilometres and built up a reasonable advantage over the peloton, which was controlled by the teams of the main favourites.
As the race hit the final climb, the grupetto of escapees was reeled in and the real battle began among the favourites. Attacks came from multiple directions on the steep gradients, with riders being shelled out the back of the lead group one by one. Evenepoel proved strongest when it mattered most, powering away from his rivals in the closing kilometres to take a solo victory and claim the race lead.
Primoz Roglic, riding on home roads that his adopted Basque fans adore him on, came home in a strong position to sit near the top of the general classification. Carlos Rodriguez and other climbing specialists also finished in contention, setting up what promises to be a fiercely contested remainder of the week.
Evenepoel pulled on the leader's jersey and spoke with obvious satisfaction about the stage, suggesting his form coming into this race is very strong indeed.
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