A spectacular final waited for the riders in the Tour of Andalucia (2.Pro, 16-20/02) this Thursday at the end of the second stage. The finish was on top of the explosive climb of Alcalá la Real (3.4 km 6,3%). In contrary to the day before when the breakaway fought for the victory, the contenders for the general classification received the honor today and Italian rider Domenico Pozzovivo finished among the strongest riders.
Just like in the opening stage, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert took the responsibility in the peloton, first in chase behind the early breakaway and then to bring its leaders to the best possible conditions to the ramp towards the finish. Taco van der Hoorn, Théo Delacroix and Barnabás Peák shared the lead of the peloton and closed the gap to the breakaway with 10 kilometer to go.
Domenico Pozzovivo, Biniam Girmay, Kobe Goossens and Jan Bakelants started the climb towards Alcalá la Real well positioned in the peloton which was skimmed because of the five categorized climbs on the parcours of 150 kilometer. The decision for the stage win was made on cobbles and an average gradient of 11%. Pozzovivo, who is racing for the first time in the colors of the Belgian World Team, crossed the line in eighth position, 4 seconds after winner Covi.
« I managed to achieve my first top ten for Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux in a stage suited for explosive riders. I’m satisfied with my current form and first two race days in my new colors. Step by step, I’m gaining confidence in my new environment. Since my accident, it’s not easy for my to change equipment, but after my first race days with my CUBE Litening C:68X my doubts are gone. I feel better and better and I want to go full each day to test myself. If I can keep this level, I think I can make use of the longer climbs to obtain a good general classification. »
