The second stage of the Tour de Yorkshire again ended in a sprint finish with Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits) taking the win in front of massive crowds in Harrogate.

Yorkshiremen Connor Swift (Madison Genesis), James Gullen (JLT Condor) and Harry Tanfield (Bike Channel Canyon) all featured in a four-man breakaway that enlivened proceedings early in the 122.5-kilometre stage from Tadcaster.

Tanfield’s efforts in the day’s two intermediate sprints saw fans on Twitter vote him into Dimension Data’s Most Active Rider jersey, but all four escapees were caught before a fast finish ensued in Harrogate.

As the sprint specialists raced towards the line Bouhanni latched onto the wheel of Jonathan Hivert (Direct Energie), but as his compatriot faded Bouhanni pressed on to seal his fourth win of the season.

Ewan’s disappointment at a successive second-placed finish was tempered by the fact that he moved into the Welcome to Yorkshire blue leader’s jersey and opened up a two-second lead over Bouhanni and Friday’s victor Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo).

Photo: Allan Mckenzie/SWpix.com

Ewan’s consistent form also means he tops the Yorkshire Bank Points Classification while Etienne Van Empel (Roompot Nederlandse Loterij) defended his place at the top of the Virgin Trains King of the Mountain Classification. Team Dimension Data lead the Team Classification sponsored by Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Fly

Stage two winner Nacer Bouhanni said: “The conclusion of today’s stage was hard and steep. Here in Yorkshire it seems like all the roads are hilly!

“Yesterday I watched the finish of the 2014 Tour de France stage here when Marcel Kittel won and that allowed me to better understand today’s sprint. I produced my effort with 400m to go and when Jonathan Hivert kicked I knew I had to react immediately.

“This is my fourth win of the season and it gives me confidence because the Tour de Yorkshire is my first race after a brief break. There were so many people on the road today it felt like the Tour de France.”

Results:
1 Nacer Bouhanni (FRA) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 2:45:51
2 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Orica-Scott
3 Jonathan Hivert (FRA) Direct Energie
4 Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Team LottoNl-Jumbo
5 Chris Lawless (GBR) Great Britain
6 Kristian Sbaragli (ITA) Dimension Data
7 Soren Kragh Andersen (DEN) Team Sunweb
8 Tony Hurel (FRA) Direct Energie
9 Matthew Holmes (GBR) Madison Genesis
10 Adam Blythe (GBR) Aqua Blue Sport

General Classification after stage two
1 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Orica-Scott 6:55:17
2 Nacer Bouhanni (FRA) Cofidis, Solutions Credits +0:00:02
3 Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Team LottoNl-Jumbo +0:00:02

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here