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.
Tour of the Basque Country 2016 stage 2:
Click on the images to zoom
Mikel Landa
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Favourites - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Overview - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Stage 6 – Contador powers to stage win and overall victory - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Stage 5 – Huge solo victory Diego Rosa, Sergio Henao new leader - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Stage 4 – Stage win Sammy Sanchez, Kelderman new leader - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Stage 3 – Stephen Cummings soloes to tight victory, Landa retains lead - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Stage 1 - Luis León Sánchez wins after perfect descent - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Route stage 1: Etxebarria – Markina-Xemein - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Route stage 3: Vitoria-Gasteiz - Lesaka - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Route stage 4: Lesaka – Orio - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Route stage 5: Orio – Arrate (Eibar) - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Route stage 6: Eibar – Eibar - Tour of the Basque Country 2016 More articles Tour de France 2024: The Route
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 1: Florence - Rimini
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 2: Cesenatico - Bologna
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 3: Piacenza - Turin
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 4: Pinerolo - Valloire
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 5: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Saint-Vulbas
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 7: Nuits-Saint-Georges - Gevrey-Chambertin
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 8: Semur-en-Auxois - Colombey-les-Deux-Églises
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 9: Troyes - Troyes
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 11: Evaux-les-Bains - Le Lioran
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 12: Aurillac - Villeneuve-sur-Lot
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 14: Pau - Pla d'Adet
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 15: Loudenvielle - Plateau de Beille
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 16: Gruissan - Nîmes
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 17: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Superdévoluy
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 18: Gap - Barcelonnette
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 19: Embrun - Isola 2000
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 20: Nice - Col de la Couillole
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 21: Monaco - Nice
Giro 2024: The Route
Giro 2024 Route stage 1: Turin - Turin
Giro 2024 Route stage 2: San Fransesco al Campo - Oropa
Giro 2024 Route stage 3: Novara - Fossano
Giro 2024 Route stage 4: Acqui Terme - Andora
Giro 2024 Route stage 5: Genoa - Lucca
Giro 2024 Route stage 6: Viareggio - Rapolano Terme
Giro 2024 Route stage 7: Foligno - Perugia
Giro 2024 Route stage 8: Spoleto - Prati di Tivo
Giro 2024 Route stage 9: Naples - Naples
Cycling Calendar 2024
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!