Tour of Valencia 2020: Pogacar wins uphill sprint to move into GC lead

The 2nd stage travels to a steep finale near the weather radar in Cullera. Tadej Pogacar winst the uphill drag to the line ahead of Alejandro Valverde and Dylan Teuns. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage Tour of Valencia 2020

1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
3. Dylan Teuns (bel) s.t.
4. Daniel Martin (irl) s.t.
5. Jack Haig (aus) s.t.
6. Ion Izagirre (spa) s.t.
7. Ruben Fernandez (spa) s.t.
8. Gianni Moscon (ita) s.t.
9. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr) s.t.
10. Greg Van Avermaet (bel) + 0.05

GC after stage 2
1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Jack Haig (aus) s.t.
3. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
4. Ruben Fernandez (spa) s.t.
5. Dylan Teuns (bel) s.t.
6. Gianni Moscon (ita) s.t.
7. Ion Izagirre (spa) s.t.
8. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr) s.t.
9. Daniel Martin (irl) s.t.
10. Matej Mohoric (slo) + 0.02

Race report
De Marchi, Cavagna, Van Emden, Cuadros and Sáez open up a gap at kilometre 8 to race to a lead of more than 6 minutes.

The breakaway is reeled in inside the last 8 kilometres, although Cavagna pushes on alone. The 24-year old Frenchman is caught just before the finish climb.

Gonzalo Serrano strikes on the steep slopes to the line. He is brought back inside the final kilometre, while attacks by Jan Polanc and Gianni Moscon are also neutralised.

The race comes down to a punchy sprint. Specialist Alejandro Valverde seems to be in control until Tadej Pogacar surges past him in the last corner. The Slovenian claims the stage to move into the overall lead.

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2020 Tour of Valencia.