Movistar Showcase in Catalonia
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Mar 24, 2015 – Spain’s Alejandro Valverde won a sprint finish to claim the second stage of the Tour of Catalonia on Tuesday.
AFP/Yuzuru Sunada
Poland’s Maciej Paterski maintained his overall lead in the race, following the 191.8km run from Mataro to Olot. He had won Monday’s opening stage after being part of a three-man breakaway that finished almost three minutes ahead of the peloton.
Movistar’s Valverde edged out team-mate and compatriot Jose Joaquim Rojas and Switzerland’s Martin Elminger of IAM in the sprint finish after more than five hours in the saddle.
Wednesday’s 156.6km stage starts and finishes in Girona. Former Tour de France winners Chris Froome of Britain and Spain’s Alberto Contador are among the riders expected to challenge Valverde for overall victory, although last year’s winner Joaquim Rodriguez pulled out of the race on Sunday due to a stomach virus.
An unbelievable stage that averaged a speed of 52km/h and saw three breakaway riders race against the peloton for victory opened up the race on Monday, if you haven’t already read or seen what happened, you can Click Here for the full story on Stage 1.
Final 500-meters of Stage 2
Stage 2 Results
1. VALVERDE BELMONTE, Alejandro (MOVISTAR) 5:02:49
2. ROJAS GIL, Jose Joaquin (MOVISTAR)
3. ELMIGER, Martin (IAM CYCLING)
4. HIVERT, Jonathan (BRETAGNE-SECHE ENVIRONNEMENT)
5. KELDERMAN, Wilco (LOTTO NL – JUMBO)
6. SIMON, Julien (COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS)
7. PRADES REVERTE, Eduard (CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA)
8. SILVESTRE, Fabio (TREK FACTORY RACING)
9. KOCHETKOV, Pavel (KATUSHA)
10. MALACARNE, Davide (ASTANA)
General Classification after Stage 2
1. PATERSKI, Maciej (CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE) 9:36:20
2. ROLLAND, Pierre (EUROPCAR) + 4
3. DE CLERCQ, Bart (LOTTO SOUDAL) + 8
4. VALVERDE BELMONTE, Alejandro (MOVISTAR) + 2:40
5. ROJAS GIL, Jose Joaquin (MOVISTAR) + 2:44
6. ELMIGER, Martin (IAM CYCLING) + 2:46
7. POELS, Wouter (SKY) + 2:47
8. ROCHE, Nicolas (SKY) + 2:48
9. MARTIN, Daniel (CANNONDALE – GARMIN) + 2:49
10. SIMON, Julien (COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS) + 2:50