Mikel Landa crashed in the final kilometers, but managed to conclude the day.
The second stage of the World Tour race featured the typical Basque terrain – a demanding day in the hills featuring a tough first-category ascent, San Miguel de Aralar (9.4km, 7.8%), which more than a decade ago hosted a Vuelta finish.
On Alto de Etxauri, a breakaway took shape, and Ethan Hayter was there for Soudal Quick-Step. The group increased their advantage over the peloton on this first hurdle of the day and by the time they entered the last 100 kilometers, they had a healthy lead. A stage winner here a couple of years ago, Ethan was prominent in the group, helping it survive until the slopes of the penultimate climb while also making the day of a young fan by gifting him a team bottle.
Around 25 kilometers from the finish, Hayter’s time at the front came to an end after yellow jersey Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) attacked on San Miguel de Aralar, soloing to victory in Cuevas de Mendukilo, where the stage concluded.
Inside the final ten kilometers, on a downhill section, Mikel Landa crashed. The Basque, runner-up on two occasions at his home race, got back on his back and arrived at the finish. Mikel will undergo further examinations later with an update to follow.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
