The Ain Tour continued this Thursday, with a 2nd mountainous stage that had everything to offer us a show. After the beautiful double of the Groupama-FDJ Wednesday during the first stage, this is the Visma | Lease a Bike et Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale who distinguished themselves. Indeed, Cian Uijtdebroeks et Nicolas Prodhomme have shown their superiority in the Col de Penthières, the hardest rise of the day, by distant all the other favorites in the general classification. They were able to compete for the victory in the sprint, and it is French Nicolas Prodhomme who has largely imposed himself in front of the Belgian, seizing the leading yellow jersey at the same time, while Jamie Meehan (Cofidis) completes the podium, 53 seconds from the winner of the day. This Friday will take place the 3rd and last stage, the most difficult, with in particular the ascent of the Col du Grand Colombier, classified out of category.
VIDEO – French Victor Lafay at the start of this 2nd stage
The summary of the race:
This second stage between Saint-Vulbas and Léxx Monts Jura, with a mountainous course and 4 passes listed in the mountain ranking, had everything to offer a spectacular race. From the first difficulty, the Côte d'Ambronay, 5 men managed to interfere in the breakaway: Thomas Champion (St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93), Gianluca Brambilla (Q36.5 PRO CYCLING TEAM), 12th of the first step, Jaakko Hanninen (Nice Métropole Côte d'Azur), Sergio Samitier (Cofidis) and Antoine Berlin (Bike Aid). The latter could not follow the pace of his companions for a long time and won before the first slopes of the Côte de Giron. A little further in the climb, Hanninen et Champion have in turn won, leaving Brambilla et Samitier Only in mind.
In the peloton, the team Visma | Lease a Bike imposed a large tempo from the foot of the Côte de Giron, leaving little chance of a stage victory in the escaped. This rhythm also got the better of the winning duo of the day before, Tom Donnenwirth et David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), loose fairly quickly in the climb. In the Col de Penthières, it is French Nicolas Prodhomme (Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale Team) which launched hostilities, only followed by Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeks (Team Visma | Lease A Bike). The two men quickly resumed the last survivors of the escape and went to the top of the Penthières pass.
Prodhomme and uijtdebroeks alone in the world
The two leading men quickly took more than a minute ahead of a group of pursuers composed mainly of their teammates. In the final, the Belgian tried to anticipate the arrival at the sprint by attacking the French, but without success. In the last 300 meters, Nicolas Prodhomme launched his sprint and largely dominated Uijtdebroeks, who finished 2nd to two seconds from French. The Irishman Jamie Meehan settled the pursuing group for 3rd place, and finished 53 seconds of Prodhomme.
In the general classification, Nicolas Prodhomme Take advantage of his victory to seize the leading yellow jersey, two seconds ahead of his dolphin of the day Cian Uijtdebroeks. Benvery active also this Thursday, completes the podium of the provisional general, before the third and last decisive stage this Friday. Indeed, the chain of the Col de la Biche (category 1) and the Grand Colombier (excluding category) should serve as a justice of the peace for all candidates for the general classification. Given their performance of the day, it is difficult to see how Production et Uijtdebroeks could not compete again with victory.
