Settimana Coppi e Bartali (st. 2)

Ecuadorian from Movistar Team on the attack into tough final laps around Monte Tiffi; sits now 6th overall. Mollema (TFS) wins stage two as Rosa (SKY) takes over GC lead.

The unsufficiently-rewarded work by the Movistar Team on the opening stage of the Settimana Coppi e Bartali had a bigger impact on day two, a tough course where their team leader Richard Carapaz had a prominent role. The Ecuadorian went on the attack against the main GC contenders in a very demanding circuit around Sogliano (130km), with three climbs of the Monte Tiffi.

After the GC group was reduced to barely twenty riders with strong pace from Androni and the Movistar Team, keeping the early breaks on a leash, Carapaz went on the attack uphill and created a six-man selection with Rosa (SKY), Ciccone (BRD), Guillaume Martin (WGG), Bouwman (TLJ) -who crashed later on- and Mollema (TFS), who notched up the stage win. Richard finished in 5th spot and saw his efforts bringing him a fine sixth spot in the provisional GC, 38″ behind Rosa.

The ‘Coppi e Bartali’ will seek for flatter roads on Saturday’s stage three circuit race (171km) around Crevalcore, prior to Sunday’s decisive ITT (12.5km) towards the Montegibbio castle hill.

Picture (c): Roberto Bettini / BettiniPhoto.net