The World Champion is just five seconds behind the top of the leaderboard.
Traveling from Beromünster to Nottwil, over 173.7 kilometers containing some short climb, stage 2 of the World Tour race got off to a quiet start, only two riders making it in a breakaway whose maximum buffer didn’t hit three minutes. Behind the two, the teams interested in a bunch sprint – including Soudal Quick-Step – pulled to keep the gap in check so they would have a calm final hour of racing.
It wasn’t as straightforward though, a crash with 30 kilometers to go, just before one of the two climbs coming in quick succession, spreading a bit of panic in the bunch, who eventually regrouped before the intermediate sprint. There, Remco Evenepoel made a smart move, clipping off the front and taking the last second in play, which moved him closer to the yellow jersey.
Once the escapees were reeled in, the lead-out trains positioned themselves at the front, but the finale was very scrappy, as there wasn’t room for everybody. The win went to Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Circus-Wanty), while Belgian Champion Tim Merlier got boxed in and couldn’t get involved in the fight for victory. The GC remained unchanged, meaning that Evenepoel will start Tuesday’s mountain stage in second overall and with the white jersey on his shoulders.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
