Tour of the Basque Country 2016: Stage 2 - Landa bests Kelderman on steep closing climb to take leader’s jersey

Results 2nd stage Tour of the Basque Country

1. Mikel Landa (spa)
2. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.01
3. Sergio Henao (col + 0.05
4. Samuel Sanchez (spa) + 0.09
5. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.11
6. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + + 0.13
7. Rui Costa (por) + 0.15
8. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
9. Robert Gesink (nld) s.t.
10. Sebastien Reichenbach (swi) s.t.

11. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) s.t.
16. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.22
19. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 0.26

GC after stage 2
1. Mikel Landa (spa)
2. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.01
3. Sergio Henao (col + 0.05
4. Samuel Sanchez (spa) + 0.09
5. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.11
6. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + + 0.13
7. Rui Costa (por) + 0.15
8. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
9. Robert Gesink (nld) s.t.
10. Sebastien Reichenbach (swi) s.t.

11. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) s.t.
16. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.22
19. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 0.26

Race report
In the break away are Denifl, Meintjes, Madrazo and Petilli with the last rider dropped at Untzella, the second climb of the day. The other three race to a maximum lead at over 5 minutes, while Meintjes is in limbo – sometimes on board, something off.

Denifl and Madrazo are the sole leaders for most of the race, but their party is over with 10 kms left.

At the closing climb Vuillermoz and Landa attack, while Kelderman joins them. Vuillermoz can’t follow the pace and with 1 kms left the leading duo enjoys a 0’11” lead.

It’s enough. Despite a Contador attack they hold their ground and Landa outsprints Kelderman to take both stage win and leader’s jersey.

Contador puts a few seconds into Pinot and Quintana, while Aru is 11 seconds adrift.

Tour of the Basque Country 2016 stage 2:

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All stages

Route and profile

Profile

Route 2nd stage

Start in Markina-Xemein

Final kilometres

Climb details

Finish in Baranbio

Start and finish at Google maps

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