Itzulia Basque Country

Stage 2 of the race got underway from Viana, the place where Julian Alaphilippe took his fourth stage victory at the Itzulia Basque Country one year ago, and travelled to Leitza, where the peloton arrived after almost 200 kilometers and five hours in the saddle.

Despite being peppered with five classified climbs, the highlight of the stage was the final descent – a fast and very technical one, which ended up fragmenting the bunch and opening some gaps between the general classification contenders. When a selection was made just three kilometers from the finish, Andrea Bagioli responded present for Soudal Quick-Step, who booked a place in a ten-man group from which the winner emerged.

The Italian, who in the beginning of the season came third at the Drôme Classic, got involved in the sprint won by Ide Schelling (Bora-hansgrohe) and took sixth place. This result helped Andrea gain eight positions in the overall standings, where he now sits in seventh ahead of the tough stage 3 to Amasa-Villabona.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images