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

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

At 174 kilometres, stage 2 in the Tour of the Basque Country leads from Markina-Xemein to the Ermita de Garrastatxu. This equals a short and steep closing climb and it's here Landa and Kelderman attack. They power to the line, where the Basque outsprints the young Dutchman, thus taking the overall lead in his home race. Behind their backs Contador puts 4 seconds into Quintana and 11 seconds into Aru. (Slideshow route/profile)

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.