25 Mar 2014

Mezgec wins again in Catalonia

Madrid - Slovenia's Luka Mezgec has claimed a second stage win in as many days for Giant-Shimano on the second day of the Tour of Catalonia.

Mezgec led home Italians Roberto Ferrari (Lampre-Merida) and Daniele Ratto (Cannondale) in a time of 3hrs 57mins 49secs to extend his overall advantage over Ferrari and Australia's Howard Leigh (Orica-GreeEdge) to 14 seconds in the general classification.

Tour de France winner Chris Froome was again in the lead pack that finished the 168km second stage from Mataro to Girona three seconds back along with Spanish duo Alberto Contador and Joaquim Rodriguez and Colombia's Nairo Quintana to leave them 23 seconds off the lead.

However, Froome's chances of victory later in the week suffered a blow as Sky teammate Ritchie Porte had to withdraw from the race due to ill health after finishing way off the pace on Monday.

Wednesday's third stage sees the first mountain finish of the week as the riders tackle a 162.9km ride from Banyoles to La Molina.

Results from the second stage of the of the Tour of Catalonia on Tuesday, a 168km ride from Mataro to Girona:

1. Luka Mezgec (SLO/Giant-Shimano) 3hr 57min 49sec

2. Roberto Ferrari (ITA/Lampre-Merida) same time

3. Daniele Ratto (ITA/Cannondale) s.t.

4. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/Omega Pharma-Quick-step) s.t.

5. Marcus Burghardt (GER/BMC) s.t.

6. Davide Vigano (ITA/Caja Rural) s.t.

7. Boris Vallee (BEL/Lotto Belisol) s.t.

8. Tosh Van der Sande (BEL/Lotto Belisol) s.t.

9. Leigh Howard (AUS/Orica GreenEdge) s.t.

10. Maciej Paterski (POL/CCC Polsat Polkowice) at 0.03

Selected:

28. Alberto Contador (ESP/Tinkoff-Saxo) s.t., 35. Chris Froome (GBR/SKY) s.t., 36. Nairo Quintana (COL/Movistar) s.t., 52. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP/Katusha) s.t.

Overall standings:

1. Luka Mezgec (SLO/Giant-Shimano) 4:09:03

2. Roberto Ferrari (ITA/Lampre-Merida) at. 0:14 sec.

3. Leigh Howard (AUS/Orica GreenEdge) s.t.

4. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/Omega Pharma-Quick-step) 0:16

5. Daniele Ratto (ITA/Cannondale) s.t.

6. Boris Vallee (BEL/Lotto Belisol) 0:18

7. Marcus Burghardt (GER/BMC) 0: 20

8. Tosh Van der Sande (BEL/Lotto Belisol) s.t.

9. Davide Vigano (ITA/Caja Rural) s.t.

10. Michel Koch (GER/Cannondale) s.t.

Selected:

21. Alberto Contador (ESP) 0:23, 29. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP/Katusha) s.t., 34. Chris Froome (GBR) s.t., 54. Nairo Quintana (COL/Movistar) s.t.

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