Caden Groves took the opportunity to run the Tour of Catalonia before the peloton plunged into the Pyrenees. The Australian BikeExchange program was launched by compatriot Michael Matthews, winner of the opening stage, beating Phil Bauhaus (victor of Bahrain) in the sprint race in Perpignan. Jonas Hvideberg (Team DSM) takes over the captain’s jersey.
Watch the race here:
Peloton crossed into France in the second stage, because tomorrow a difficult mountain stage awaits you in the Pyrenees. The runners had to take their chance today to make the heavy climb.
3 riders chose the Forward Journey early in the race. Mountain King Jonas Hvedeberg (DSM) also slid down to collect points on the top of the three climbs.
On the last climb, the door to the back of the case was open. The most notable victim of this blistering pace was Richie Porte (Ineos). The Australian clearly wasn’t feeling well and got out of the race before the climb really started.
Matthias Skgelmus (Trek Segafredo) was shocked on the same climb. At Coll dels Belitres he dived over the wall, but was able to climb out of the ravine by himself and resume his race.
30 kilometers from the end, the first separatists invited her to withdraw. Hvideberg managed to collect the extra seconds along the way and that’s what earned him the captain’s jersey.
Fans in a nervous lock
The sprinting teams were fighting for their place at the front which caused tension in the peloton.
Falls, wind and high pace rip the peloton to levels. Simon Yates (BikeExchange) had to catch up after an accident, but the other rating guys, with the exception of Tom Dumoulin, were in the leading group.
The meeting was also attended by runners. Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl topped the pace in the closing kilometer, but it was Michael Matthews – the opening stage winner – who led the race ahead of compatriot Caden Groves.
Groves jumped off the wheel of Phil Bauhaus (the Bahrain victor) and earned a 2 out of 2 at the BikeExchange at the Tour of Catalonia. The Bauhaus had to be satisfied with the second place. Hugo Hofstetter (Arkéa-Samsic) completed the podium.
Groves: ‘I’ve been thinking about it’
After a nervous race, Kaden Groves was able to finish it off for BikeExchange. Orchards raced to victory. His teammate Simon Yates was on a chase group in the final stage due to an accident.
“It was a tough race,” Caden Groves says after the race. “The fans ripped the peloton to shreds. Movistar and Jumbo-Visma tried to up the speed because Simon Yates was on a chase group.”
BikeExchange took the lead in the group and began chasing the lead group. “My team was important today. My teammates worked at the front of the group all day to catch early splits, so I could run.”
“I’ve put my mind to this point. Maybe we can run again this week and get another win.”
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Simon Yates is on the hunt set. 30 seconds behind the rising group. Another 6 kilometers!
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The leading group completed the 170 kilometer race.
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The three early splits are still at the top of the group.
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