Thierry Hupond was in today’s early breakaway during stage 2 of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco as Tom Dumoulin and Lawson Craddock sprinted to 22rd and 24th. 

Today was a long day in the front for Thierry Hupond who joined a group of four fellow escapees to make the break after only 7km of racing. Although it was unlikely that the breakaway would survive, the riders kept fighting until the end.

It was just before the sign of the last 10km the break was caught while the peloton prepared for a bunch sprint finish. From Team Giant-Alpecin Tom Dumoulin was the first home in 22rd position.

Coach Aike Visbeek after the race: “The plan was to continue yesterday’s teamwork of positioning Tom in the front and to allow Thierry to go for the break. Thierry succeeded but unfortunately there were too many teams teams interested in chasing.

“On the final climb, Tom received solid support from Lawson [Craddock] and Carter [Jones]. The final sprint was too hectic and too much of a fight for the front positions as they finished 22rd and 24th.”