The decond stage of Tour de Pologne was very easy for most part of the race, with a five-rider breakaway being controlled by the bunch before being neutralized with 20 km to go. It became chaotic in the final 300 meters because of a crash which only 8 riders avoided.
Sacha Modolo was ready to strike, following Niccolo Bonifazio who was acting as lead-out man after Ferrari had led them to the front part of the bunch when Caleb Ewan hit him, crashing heavily and involving so many that only 8 riders managed to stay clear.
Bonifazio launched Modolo but the winner of two stages at the Giro d'Italia could not reach the speed needed to hold off Pelucchi. It was a fifth place for Modolo and sixth place for Bonifazio who's third in the general classification, 12" behind the leader Kittel
"Our riders did a good performance, the crash gave uncertanty to the sprint," Simone Pedrazzini, LAMPRE-MERIDA's sport director, explained. "Bonifazio and Modolo avoided the tumble but the accident probably made them anticipate the start of the sprint. Unfortunately, there was a headwind which prevented Modolo from reaching a high speed and helped the riders to get back from behind.
"Regarding the crash, Ewan hit with Modolo. He made no bad moves, he was only following Bonifazio who was leading the peloton in that moment."
Marc SOLER 31 years | today |
Rolando AMARGO 28 years | today |
Rodney SANTIAGO 36 years | today |
Christophe PREMONT 35 years | today |
Kosuke TAKEYAMA 27 years | today |
© CyclingQuotes.com