Tour of the Alps 2018, M. A. Lopez wins stage 2 – Sosa takes the lead

Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) wins Tour of the Alps 2018 stage 2 over Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) and Ivan Sosa (Androni – Sidermec). Once again a representative of team Astana takes the stage victory of the alpine race and Colombian joungster Ivan Sosa finishes a top-tier racing in a podium position. Lopez, together with Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain – Merida), Chris Froome (Team Sky), Thibaut Pinot, Jan Hirt (Astana), Giulio Ciccone (Bardiani – CSF) and Ivan Sosa, was part of the leading group that played for today’s success. The 2014 Tour de l’Avenir holder did the winning move with just 250 meters remaining and sprinted faster than everyone. Colombia takes in this manner not only the stage victory but also the general classification lead with twenty years old Ivan Sosa.

With 5 kilometers to go Quentin Jauregui (Ag2r la Mondiale), the last man who was part of the breakaway to give up, was chased. In the meantime Chris Froome showed signs of weakening and dropped the group: his teammates went back to set the tempo to the four times Tour de France winner and allowed the Brit to move up to the front positions of the race in a matter of an handful of minutes. With over 2,6 kilometers remaining Jan Hirt (Astana) together with former Trek rider Riccardo Zoidl (Felbermayr – Simplon Wels) attacked but their try lasted only one kilometer, until Kenny Ellissonde took the lead of the chase and started to set a devilish pace.

Fabio Aru dropped the leading group with 1,5 kilometers to go and, once the race crossed the flame rouge, Chris Froome broke the procrastination. Thibaut Pinot was the fastest to jump on the back wheel of Team Sky’s leader but soon after, when the situation calmed down a bit, Domenico Pozzovivo attempted to take advantage on the leading group. Bahrain-Merida’s captain was chased with just over 500 meters remaining by the six riders already mentioned, who walked all together until they approached the decisive sprint, taken by Miguel Angel Lopez.

Tour of the Alps 2018 Stage 2 Results

1 LOPEZ Miguel Angel, Astana Pro Team   03:55:30
2 PINOT Thibaut, Groupama – FDJ   ,,
3 SOSA Ivan, Androni – Sidermec   ,,
4 FROOME Christopher, Team Sky   + 0:04
5 POZZOVIVO Domenico, Bahrain Merida   + 0:07
6 CICCONE Giulio, Bardiani-CSF   + 0:14
7 HIRT Jan, Astana Pro Team   + 0:20
8 O’CONNOR Ben Dimension Data   + 0:27
9 HERMANS Ben Israel Cycling Academy   + 0:31
10 ARU Fabio UAE-Team Emirates   + 0:34

Tour of the Alps 2018 General Classification

1 SOSA Ivan Ramiro Androni – Sidermec    7:22:09
2 PINOT Thibaut Groupama – FDJ   + 0:06
3 LOPEZ Miguel Angel Astana Pro Team   ,,
4 FROOME Christopher Team Sky   + 0:16
5 POZZOVIVO Domenico Bahrain Merida    + 0:19
6 CICCONE Giulio Bardiani – CSF   + 0:26
7 HIRT Jan Astana Pro Team   + 0:36
8 HERMANS Ben Israel Cycling Academy   + 0:43
9 ARU Fabio UAE-Team Emirates   + 0:50
10 BILBAO Pello Astana Pro Team   + 1:17