Cycling: Maximilian Schachmann (Bora – hansgrohe) almost won the second stage of the Volta ao Algarve with an impressive start on the final climb. The German champion went on the offensive a little too late and had to admit defeat to Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) at the same time.
It was too difficult for Mathieu van der Poel
Four mountain classifications had to be climbed on the 183,9 kilometers from Sagres to Alto da Fóia. The last of these was the 7,5 kilometer final climb. However, at an average of 6,0 percent, it wasn't all that difficult. While the UAE Team Emirates kept the pace evenly high in the peloton, the Astana team attacked several times with different drivers. As a result, the main field was thinned out more and more, so that, among other things, also Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Fenix) could no longer follow. With about three kilometers to go, the captain sat down Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) his first attack. But the UAE Team Emirates was able to parry again.
Chessman is just too late
After the quick collection of Miguel Angel Lopez the private duel between Astana and UAE ended. Hence saw Simon Geschke (CCC) got his chance. The Berliner attacked and stayed in front of the group of favorites for about a kilometer before Deceuninck – Quick-Step took over and collected him again. The two Ineos professionals became the result of the renewed increase in speed Michal Kwiatkowski and Geraint Thomas distant. On the last kilometer the expected attack came from Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck - Quick Step). The young Belgian immediately tore a gap - also because Miguel Angel Lopez had a technical problem with his rear wheel. So Remco Evenepoel already looked like the sure winner when Maximilian schachmann (Bora – hansgrohe) started to pursue. The young German immediately tore a gap and moved up to the leader - but the German champion could not get past.
?゚ヌᆰ@EvenepoelRemco of ?゚ヌᆰ@deceuninck_qst wins stage 2 ?゚ヌᄍ@VAlgarve2020 #VALgarve2020 (Eurosport) pic.twitter.com/uptYyS31AZ
— Cycling_360 (@cycling_360) February 20, 2020
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