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Eltziego - Swiss rider Michael Albasini edged a sprint finish to claim victory on the second stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Tuesday.
Albasini beat Argentine Ariel Maximiliano Richeze and Belgium's Sean de Bie into second and third respectively in a time of 4:35:22 for the 173.4km from Pamplona to Eltziego.
Australian Michael Matthews was fourth and maintains the overall lead after winning Monday's opening stage.
Pre-race favourites Alejandro Valverde and Alberto Contador remain on the same time as Matthews, although Contador had another eventful day as he overcame a puncture after crashing inside the final kilometre on Monday.
Wednesday's third stage gives the climbers a first chance to separate themselves from the pack with six climbs on the 160.5km ride from Vitoria to San Sebastian.
Results from the second stage of Tour of the Basque Country, over 173.4km from Pamplona to Elciego on Tuesday:
Stage
1. Michael Albasini (SUI/ORI) 4hr 35min 22sec (average: 37.8 km/h). 2. Maximiliano Richeze (ARG/ETI) at 0:00, 3. Sean De Bie (BEL/LOT) 0:00, 4. Michael Matthews (AUS/SUN) 0:00, 5. Paul Martens (GER/LNL) 0:00, 6. Matej Mohoric (SLO/LAM) 0:00, 7. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) 0:00, 8. Rudy Molard (FRA/FDJ) 0:00, 9. Manuele Mori (ITA/LAM) 0:00, 10. Michal Kwiatkowski (POL/SKY) 0:00
Overall standings
1. Michael Matthews (AUS/Sunweb) 8hr 20min 29sec, 2. Maximiliano Richeze (ARG/ETI) at 0:00, 3. Sean De Bie (BEL/LOT) 0:00, 4. Michael Schwarzmann (GER/BOR) 0:00, 5. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) 0:00, 6. Jay McCarthy (AUS/BOR) 0:00, 7. Matej Mohoric (SLO/LAM) 0:00, 8. Patrick Konrad (AUT/BOR) 0:00, 9. Michal Kwiatkowski (POL/SKY) 0:00, 10. Anthony Roux (FRA/FDJ) 0:00
