Tour of the Basque Country 2018 Stage 2: Alaphilippe strikes again to cement lead, Roglic second

The Tour of the Basque Country's 2nd stage travels on a hilly route to a demanding finale. Firstly, a 4.6 kilometres climb at 6.5% and then a 6.6 kilometres drop to the line. Leader Julian Alaphilippe attacks on the last slopes before Primoz Roglic, Mikel Landa and Gorka Izagirre track him down. The Frenchman outsprints the Slovenian on the line and cements his overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage 2018 Tour of the Basque Country

1. Julian Alaphilippe (fra)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
3. Gorka Izagirre (spa) s.t.
4. Mikel Landa (spa) s.t.
5. Patrick Konrad (aut) + 0.15
6. Eduard Prades (spa) s.t.
7. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.
8. Rudy Molard (fra) s.t.
9. Enric Mas (spa) s.t.
10. Ion Izagirre (spa) s.t.

12. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
13. David de la Cruz (spa) s.t.
14. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
16. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
17 . Bauke Mollema (nld) s.t.

GC after the 2nd stage
1. Julian Alaphilippe (fra)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 0.08
3. Gorka Izagirre (spa) + 0.39
4. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.43
5. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 0.54
6. Patrick Konrad (aut) + 0.58
7. Enric Mas (spa) s.t.
8. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) s.t.
9. Rudy Molard (fra) s.t.
10. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.

11. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
12. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
13. Bauke Mollema (nld) s.t.

Race report
Echelons split the peloton at km 36 and when the first group hits the first KOM-climb of the day, Natxitua, the gap sits at more than 1 minute. On the slopes a group with Vuillermoz, Caruso, Navarro, Hart, Grmay, Woods, Lopez, Guerrairo, De Marchi, Verona and Padun jumps of the front to race to a lead of 2 minutes. The peloton regroups with 80 kms left to race and the escapees are brought back just before the last climb.

Michael Matthews strikes on the lower slopes, but he is brought back. As is Enric Mas. Then Julian Alaphilippe goes with almost 2 kms to climb. Primoz Roglic closes the gap with Mikel Landa and Gorka Izagirre on his wheel. Other GC guys are chasing close behind and reach the crest 15 seconds after the leading quartet.

Following a technical descent Roglic opens up the uphill sprint with a few hundred meters to go. Alaphilippe follows to overhaul the Slovenian and extends his overall lead thanks to the time bonus. Roglic now sits 8 seconds back. Izagirre comes in third – a place he also holds on GC – and Landa fourth.

The chasers finish 15 seconds in arrears.