Tour of the Alps 2019: Sivakov outguns Hirt to take GC lead

The 2nd stage of the Tour of the Alps is a race through the high mountains before a punchy finish in Schenna. Pavel Sivakov bests Jan Hirt in a two-up sprint on the steep arrival in Schenna. The 21-year old Russian is the new GC leader. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage Tour of the Alps 2019

1. Pavel Sivakov (rus)
2. Jan Hirt (cze) + 0.04
3. Mattia Cattaneo (ita) + 0.17
4. Fausto Masnada (ita) + 0.22
5. Hermann Pernsteiner (aut) + 0.29
6. Rafal Majka (pol) + 0.30
7. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) s.t.
8. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr)+ 0.43
9. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 0.44
10. Nikita Stalnov (kaz) + 0.52

GC after stage 2
1. Pavel Sivakov (rus)
2. Jan Hirt (cze) + 0.08
3. Mattia Cattaneo (ita) + 0.33
4. Rafal Majka (pol) + 0.39
5. Hermann Pernsteiner s.t.
6. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) s.t.
7. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr) + 0.43
8. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 0.53
9. Nikita Stalnov (kaz) + 1.02
10. Roland Thalmann (swi) + 1.08

Race report
It takes more than 30 kilometres for the breakaway to take shape. Then Ospina, Castano, Samitier, Visconti, Zardini and Rochetti open up a gap of more than 5 minutes. Zardini and Samitier are the first riders over the Jaufen Pass with the main group 40 seconds in arrears.

With 12 kilometres remaining Samitier is the last rider to be reeled in by Stalnov, Sivakov, Pernsteiner, Hirt, Poljanski, Cattaneo and Masnada. The eight tackle the last climb 22 seconds ahead of the first chasers. Chris Froome is not longer on board.

Sivakov forges a gap on the lower slopes before Hirt regains contact inside the last 2 kilometres. Yet, the young Russian outguns the Czech on the steep sprint to the line to catapult himself into the overall lead at the expense of his team mate Tao Geoghegan Hart.

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2019 Tour of the Alps.