June 1/12 18:28 pm - Coupe des Nations UCI U23 - Ville de Saguenay Stage 2: results and report

Posted by Editoress on 06/1/12
 

Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe came out victorious on the second stage of the Coupe des Nations – Ville de Saguenay at La Baie. By beating his breakaway companions, the 19 year old athlete also took the white jersey of best young rider. Argentinian Eduardo Sepulveda and Britain's Mark Christian fought hard until the end to claim second and third.

Julian Alaphilippe wins Stage 2

Only a few kilometres after the start seven riders broke away. The leaders worked together and increased their lead considerably, reaching near three minutes. After about 100 kilometres in the breakaway, their effort was thwarted by the peloton. Not long after the junction was made, 10 of the 86 cyclists escaped. In the race’s last kilometres, the small gap shrank, but the leaders nonetheless resisted the main group’s chase and battled for victory.

“The race suited me. We rode well, but in the last five kilometres, the riders were looking at each other and we lost a lot of time. We stayed vigilant and we mistrusted the other riders. I sprinted at the right time and that was it,” explained the winner.

Stage one's winner, Kazak Arman Kamyshev, finally put his hands on the coveted yellow jersey. He also sits on top of the Points ranking.  Colombian Carlos Galeano claimed the polka dot jersey of Best Climber.

Competition resumes on Saturday. The competitors will be in action in Kenogami, where they will ride 141 kilometres.

Report courtesy FQSC

Results from the second stage of the Coupe des Nations – Ville de Saguenay in the Saguenay region of Quebec