Tour of the Basque Country 2021: Aranburu brings late attack home, Roglic still leader

image: Cor VosAlex Aranburu attacks in the descent of the last climb of the 2nd stage of the Itzulia Basque Country. The home rider holds off the chasers to solo to triumph. Primoz Roglic keeps the overall race lead, while Aranburu moves up to second and Brandon McNulty drops to third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage 2021 Itzulia Basque Country

1. Alex Aranburu (spa)
2. Omar Fraile (spa) + 0.15
3. Tadej Pogacar (slo) s.t.
4. David Gaudu (fra) s.t.
5. Michael Woods (can) s.t.
6. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
7. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) s.t.
8. Mikel Landa (spa) s.t.
9. Sergio Higuita (col) s.t.
10. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.

GC after stage 2
1. Primoz Roglic (slo)
2. Alex Aranburu (spa) + 0.05
3. Brandon McNulty (usa) + 0.06
4. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + 0.24
5. Adam Yates (gbr) + 0.28
6. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) + 0.31
7. Jonas Vingegaard (den) + 0.32
8. Omar Fraile (spa) + 0.34
9. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.40
10. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 0.42

Race report
The flag drops in rainy conditions. It’s also raining attacks in the first kilometres, until Martijn Tusveld, Quinten Hermans, Ben Gastauer, Jon Irisarri, Oscar Cabedo, Mikel Iturria jump off the front. Kevin Vermaerke tracks them down and the seven carve out a lead of more than 4 minutes.

Cabedo goes solo on the last climb, La Asturiana, but he is caught when Gaudu and Pogacar strike. Woods, Roglic, Landa and Izagirre close down the gap before the peloton regroups.

Schachmann counters another attack by Pogacar. Roglic joins the German, while Higuita and McNulty bridge across.

The quartet reaches the summit 10 seconds ahead of the chasers, who regain contact in the technical descent. Moments later Aranburu attacks.

The Basque opens up a 40 second gap. It comes down a little in the last kilometres, but he wins the race with a comfortable margin.

Fraile outguns Pogacar in the sprint for second place, while Roglic crosses the line in sixth position to keep the race lead. Aranburu sits 5 seconds down with McNulty 1 second furher behind.

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2021 Tour of the Basque Country.