The keys to the 2nd stage of Giro: "Surprise stage with success for one of the favorites"

Rafael Carrascoformer professional cyclist and former sports director of the historic Kelme team, is reviewing the second stage of the Giro d’Italia for MD.

1. SURPRISE STAGE

The favorite rider for the Giro won, Simon Yates, who made a sensational test in time to beat the specialists and take a few precious seconds away from his rivals. Van der Poel, who will soon win on stage, continues to lead. There were differences between the favorites, but it was only seconds, as expected. Pello Bilbao lost some of them.

2. FAVORITES SAVE THE TIME TRIAL

The differences between the favorites established this Saturday will not be key to the final result of the race. Richard Carapaz was good and Mikel Landa defended himself, while the others had little difference between them. Of course, eventually all the seconds will be counted.

3. PELLO BILBAO, THE BEST OF THE SPANISH

The best Spaniard was Pello Bilbao, while Mikel Landa was great. There are no more a priori specialists to be included in the overall standings among national cyclists, because Alejandro Valverde came to look for other types of goal, looking at the stages. Other Spaniards followed, although Jonathan Castroviejo was unable to dispute the stage.

4. RECALL FAVORITES

After seeing this Saturday, the favorites have a day on Sunday to try to rest their legs and recover, looking at Tuesday’s stage. After the day off on Monday, it will be on that day on Tuesday when the Etna stage will be debated. So this Sunday will be the day for the big names in the races to participate in the field and let the sprinter teams work.

5. DAY ONE FOR SPRINTERS

A flat stage awaits this Sunday for the sprinter teams. It will be 205 kilometers between Kaposvár and Balatonfüred. The leader and his team will try to keep the ‘pink jersey’. I never thought there would be a breakaway at the finish line, because the difference was small.