photo credits @ Itzulia
Caleb Ewan (Ineos-Grenadiers) claimed stage 2 of the Itzulia Basque Country in Lodosa today, marking the Australian rider’s first victory in three years, after finishing ahead of a distant second place Luca van Boven (Intermarché-Wanty), followed by Bastien Tronchon (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) in third.
Earlier, a small breakaway group containing Diego Uriarte, Tobias Bayer, Xabier Isasa, Sinuhé Fernández and Julen Arriola-Begoa managed to escape the peloton, later building up a modest advantage of around three minutes.
From there, the quintet remained out front, still clinging to a one minute lead with 20 kilometers to go. But, with 5 kilometers to go, the escapees’ margin had been reduced to just 20 seconds, prompting Isasa to go on the attack.
However, the Spanish rider was reeled back in by the peloton just 2 kilometers remaining.
As teams were amassing at the front for what was shaping up to be an inevitable sprint finale, INEOS was busy moving Ewan into position, allowing the Aussie to open up his sprint with perfection during the closing 300 meters to seize the day’s honors.
