the eritrean Biniam Girmay (Intermarché Circus Wanty) he was powerful in the sprint and prevailed against the great favorites in the second stage of the tour of switzerlandcontested between Beromünster and Nottwil, of 173.7 km, with the Swiss retaining the leader’s yellow jersey Stefan Kung (Jumbo Visma).
Girmay (Asmara, 23 years old), who made history last season by giving Africa its first victory in a classic, the Ghent Wevelgem, and later by winning a stage in the Giro d’Italia, won a contested time. of 3h.53.37, at an average of 44.6 km/h.
The African cyclist broke the forecast by winning the game against two of the great favorites of the more than predictable sprint, the Frenchman Arnaud Démare (Groupama) and the Belgian Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma). The Spaniards from Movistar Iván García Cortina and Alex Aranburu, seventh and eighth, respectively, entered the massive arrival.
In the general classification, Stefan Kung, the winner of the opening time trial, remained at the front, which in the last kilometers served as a launcher for his Groupama teammate Arnaud Demare. Second place is held by Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick Step), 5 seconds behind, and Van Aert third, 6 seconds away. Both got 1 and 6 second bonuses on the stage, in an intermediate sprint and in the finish.
The stage is marked for the sprint, with the script written in advance. However, two brave men started at the front, defying logic, the Canadian Nickolas Zukowsky (Q36.5) and the Swiss Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), who continued to run for 150 km before falling behind in 24 goals, when I change the scenery of the stage.
Groupama was the most active team in the maneuvers towards the finish line, with the double aim of keeping Kung’s yellow jersey and offering Démare the sprint. The leader himself lent a hand in pulling the front of the pack to the finish straight.
The first arrival is high
There was chaos among the sprinters in the battle. Démare attacked, and Van Aert tried to surprise on the right of the straight. Neither one nor the other. Girmay showed great strength to sign the victory, the second of the season after the one he achieved in Altea in the Volta a la Comunidad Valenciana, and the number 11 of his record. The Eritrean rode the African party to the finish line.
This Tuesday will be held the third stage, between Tafers and Villars-sur-Ollon, which is 143.8 km, the first date with the mountains and a high end. Within the last third of the route, the Col des Mosses climbs (1a, 13.5 km at 4.5 percent) and on the way to the finish line another 1a climb with 10.7 km of ascent at 7.8 percentage. The first rivalry between the overall favorites is expected.
Source: La Verdad
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