photo credits @ AlUla Tour
Jonathan Milan continued his winning ways after the Italian rider stormed to victory on stage 2 of the AlUla Tour today.
Milan was moved into perfect position through the final few corners by his Lidl-Trek teammates, beating Daniel Skerl (Bahrain Victorious) Pascal Ackermann in a sprint finale at the AlManshiyah Train Station.
Race highlights
After the very eventful first stage of the Al Ula Tour that saw Milan conquer the victory and the overall leader’s Green Jersey, it was back to business for the 115 riders of the race as they took off from the Al Manshiyah Train Station for a 152km loop. Like on the previous day, wind and spectacular landscapes were on the menu. As soon as kilometer 0, five men powered away from the peloton: Iacomoni (TUK), Kee, Rosli (both TSG), Al Rahbi and Al Wahaibi (both OMA). Their lead grew to 4’45’’ at km20.
FIVE MEN IN THE BREAK
As expected with the wind and changes in direction, the pace eased up dramatically after a left turn when teams Lidl-Trek and UAE accelerated at the front. Echelons and crashes occurred, sending the likes of Moschetti and Donovan (PQT) to the ground. The gap, meanwhile, had dropped down to 2’30 for the escapees. Another left turn calmed things down and the front men saw their lead increase again, but that first hour would give an idea of what would occur throughout the day. The first Intermediate Active sprint (km 59) was claimed by Kee ahead of Al Rahbi and Iacomoni while the pack remained 2’ adrift.
UAE BREAK UP THE PACK
Shortly after, the pace dramatically picked up in the pack under the influence of crosswinds. Eventually, after 66kms, all the breakaway riders were reined in. One of the GC favorites, Paul Double (Jayco Al Ula), then suffered a crash just as the pack was speeding up. He would never manage to return to the front, losing almost all hopes of final GC victory. After a first selection of over 40 riders, UAE Team Emirates pushed even harder and only 22 riders remained at the front, including Bauhaus, Milan, Moschetti, Christen, Vermaerke, Vansevenant, De Jong, Koerdt, Vinokurov and Voisard. After enjoying a 40’’ advantage, the front group was caught by the main peloton at km 110. With the situation calming down, two riders gave it a go: De Bod (MAP), and Breghnoj (TSG). They would enjoy a breakaway of around 10 km before being caught once on the final circuit. At the first passage on the line, the 2nd Intermediate Active Sprint was claimed by Kessler (TUD), leading a group of over 60 riders that would never be caught. The Bonus Sprint (km 141) would later be claimed by Jan Christen (UAE), eager to gain precious seconds in his quest for overall victory.
LIDL TREK IN CONTROL
In the final 10 kms, Phil Bauhaus (TBV) was dropped due to a puncture, preventing him from going for stage glory. It was then Fabio Jakobsen (TPP) who suffered the same fate, but this time due to cramps. Beautifully led out by three team-mates with one kilometre to go, Jonathan Milan was ideally placed on the final straight. Like yesterday at the Camel Cup race track, no one could beat the master of sprinting. Milan this time beat his promising 22-year-old Italian compatriot Daniel Skerl (TBV) and more experienced Pascal Ackermann, happy to deliver third place to his new Jayco Al Ula team.
TWO IN A ROW FOR MILAN
Thanks to this second straight success this year, his third in Saudi Arabia, Milan comforts his overall leader’s Green jersey. The 25-year-old now has a 14” advantage over Fretin (Cofidis) and 16’’ over Moschetti (Pinarello Q36.5). He naturally also leads the points classification while Fretin keeps the best young rider’s White jersey on his shoulders. The leader of the Most Active rider’s standings remains Mark Donovan (Pinarello Q36.5).
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