Trek have gone into the Tour of Beijing with the plan to protect Julian Arredondo and Riccardo Zoidl for the GC. Today the team approached the shortened stage two hoping that their two GC riders wouldn't lose any time.

The 147.5-kilometer stage two was pinned as another day that belonged to the fast men, however weather shortened the stage to 111 kilometers ending the day on the second GPM climb, a one- kilometer uphill finish at 8%, and it was the punchers that reigned instead.

The air quality at the finish in Yanquing was the culprit, and riders’ health was first and foremost in the decision taken by the race officials in agreement with teams, riders and the race organization.

Fabio Silvestre joined a four-man escape in the crucial move of the stage, but the game of chase was no different with the altered finish.  The peloton reeled in the escapees and it was a showdown on the sharp uphill where Phillipe Gilbert (BMC) claimed the stage victory, and with it the new leaders jersey. Janse van Rensburg (Giant Shimano) and Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) rounded out the top three.

Julian Arredondo was the highest finisher for the team in 19thplace, finishing in the same time as Gilbert, and now rests in 10th overall GC.  Riccardo Zoidl finished in 46th (+16").

“Fabio did a good job today in the breakaway, and it was a great opportunity for a young guy like him," sports director Adriano Baffi said. "He won both the sprint points and in the end they were caught, but overall the team did a good job today.

"There was not much for us to do today; our plan everyday is for both Riccardo [Zoidl] and Julian to not lose any time before stage four – we are waiting this day – so overall the team was perfect today in keeping both these guys in contention for Monday.

"Julian and Riccardo were in good position at the bottom of the finish climb, and Julian did not have the legs to make a better result. Danny [van Poppel] was also feeling better today, and he still has few opportunities to try for the sprint, especially the last day."