Tour of the Basque Country 2017: Albasini outsprints Richeze, Matthews in fourth and still leader

The 2nd stage of the Tour of the Basque Country travels from Pamplona to a Eltziego. Although the route takes in a number of climbs the race ignites with a bunch sprint. Michael Albasini outpowers Richeze and De Bie, while leader Michael Matthews comes in fourth. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage Tour of the Basque Country 2017

1. Michael Albasini (swi)
2. Maximiliano Richeze (arg) s.t.
3. Sean De Bie (bel) s.t.
4. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.
5. Paul Martens (ger) s.t.
6. Matej Mohoric (slo) s.t.
7. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
8. Rudy Molard (fra) s.t.
9. Manuele Mori (ita) s.t.
10. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.

GC after the 2nd stage
1. Michael Matthews (aus)
2. Maximiliano Richeze (arg) s.t.
3. Sean De Bie (bel) s.t.
4. Michael Schwarzmann (ger) s.t.
5. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
6. Jay McCarthy (aus) s.t.
7. Matej Mohoric (slo) s.t.
8. Patrick Konrad (aus) s.t.
9. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.
10. Anthony Roux (fra) s.t.

Race report
At kilometre 1 Fabricio Ferrari and Luis Angel Maté jump clear. In no time they enjoy a lead of almost 5 minutes before the gap stabilizes.

Ferrari is the first to crest Alto de Etxauri, while Maté takes most KOM-point on La Aldea. Later he is the last escapee to be reeled in.

The race boils down to a bunch sprint. Sean De Bie attacks, but when Michael Albasini opens the sprint and attacks into the final turn he sets off for glory with Maximiliano Richeze finishing close behind.

Read about the route of the 2nd stage of the 2017 Tour of the Basque Country.