Giant Shimano's Luke Mezgec made it two wins out of two when he won the second stage of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.
Luka Mezgec of Giant Shimano, who had said about his victory in the opening stage: "Winning here has been a target for me since the start of the season and to do it on the opening stage is just perfect."It was a hard day today and I suffered a bit on the climbs but the guys kept me going and supported me well.", was in the leaders white jersey with three green hoops for the start of a 168km stage from Mataró to Girona.
The attacks came early and after seven kilometres, Belkov, Koch, Tommy Voeckler of Europcar, Marczynski, Rutkiewick & Baugines of Wantygroup had a lead of 1.30.
A further minute had been added by the escapers after seventy kilometres but eight kilometres later, the gap was back down to 1.30.
Team Sky's Richie Porte abandoned the race due to a stomach bug and Simon Clarke out with a sore knee, on a wet day before Michael Koch took the first sprint of the day with fifty one kilometres remaining.
The rain continued to come down, so with 27kms left, Tommy Voeckler shot off on his own, leaving the rest to dangle in front of the peloton.
Voeckler, who took the second sprint, had a lead of 1.17 in Banyoles with 23kms to go, as the peloton started to string out due to the amount of roundabouts and road furniture.
Coming out of the town, there was two crashes. One involved three riders and another involving two riders.
The four survivors of the group that Voeckler had left, kept going and led by Maxim Belkov, Koch, Marczysnki and Baugnies worked together and were 25 seconds behind Voeckler, going into the final seventeen kilometres.
it was not to last and the peloton caught up with Marczynski of Polsat CCC as Voeckler pushed on up the final climb of the day.
With five kilometres to go, Voeckler was caught and BMC took to the front.
Alberto Contador took a turn on the front as did Orica Green Edge and the sprint was on. Leigh Howard went on the left but on the right, it was Giant Shimano's Luke Mezgec who won in 3.57.49 aand added ten more seconds to his lead.
Second was Robert Ferrari, followed by Ratto, Alaphilippe, Burghardt, Vigano, Vallee, Van Der Sande, Howard and Paterski.
Source: DSG
