The second stage in the Vuelta al País Vasco started in Bilbao and finished in Vitoria after 175.4 kilometres. There were six climbs on the route, one of first and five of third category. Almost immediately after the official start a front group of five was formed, with Louis Vervaeke. They couldn’t stay ahead till the end. With fifteen kilometres to go Vervaeke and his last two companions were caught. Fabio Felline was the fastest of the pack in Vitoria. He beat Michael Matthews. Tony Gallopin was third, another great result after yesterday’s fifth place.

Louis Vervaeke leads the classification of the intermediate sprints. The 21-year-old Lotto Soudal rider already had some setbacks this season. In the Ruta del Sol he incurred a minor concussion and he was also forced to leave the Volta a Catalunya, because of a bruised hand.

“My crash in Catalunya was a huge disappointment because my condition was very good there," he said. "I had prepared myself really well for that stage race and wanted to perform well. When I crashed I was very well positioned and I still felt fresh for the rest of the final. I immediately realized it would be difficult to continue the race. It was very painful and I couldn’t move some of my fingers, it was a huge relief when I heard I had no fractures. After three days I started training again, so I could soon focus on the race in the Basque Country.

“Today I was one of the riders in the team who could join a breakaway. Yesterday I didn’t feel too well, I have a cold since last weekend. I had to wait how it would go today, but I obviously felt better. The break got away really soon this afternoon, it didn’t take too much effort. There was a headwind almost the entire time and there were a lot of climbs, so it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t possible to survive, but I did take the jersey of the intermediate sprints. It’s not the main goal to defend that jersey. The next stages I want to support the team and improve my condition.”