Elise Chabbey sprinted to sixth place in an action-packed final of stage two of Itzulia Women. After picking up bonus seconds during the intermediate sprint, Elise jumps to fourth place on the general classification, just 18 seconds behind the leader.

An elite group of eight riders formed on the hardest climb of the day, including Elise Chabbey and Ricarda Bauernfeind, with 40km remaining. Ricarda was the last rider to make it into the group as the summit approached. Just before the descent an attack from Demi Vollering (SDW) split the group but Elise was able to join on the long descent. After some kilometres, the leading group swelled again to eight riders, with Ricarda also rejoining. The breakaway was eventually caught but a new attack of three riders went away with 12km to go and held their advantage by a few metres on the line. With one stage remaining, Elise is fourth overall at +18 and Ricarda ‘s sixth place and

RIDER QUOTES

Elise Chabbey: “Yesterday we didn’t have the best day. We predicted the bunch sprint, especially when the climbs were so far from the finish line, and we were attentive for a major breakaway. We messed up the positioning in the final 2km and weren’t able to bring Agnieszka into position as we wanted. We were motivated to change the outcome today.

I felt good on the climb and was happy to be with the top climbers. I used the downhill to catch Demi. When there were three of us, it was a strange situation that they didn’t want to ride. When I saw the group with Ricarda was coming back, I waited for her. It was difficult to follow all the attacks in the final kilometres when our group became bigger. I was happy with my sprint and  I showed that this kind of finish suits me. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Ricarda Bauernfeind: “Stage two was another hot day. In the second part there was this super steep climb on a narrow road so positioning was key. Aga and Justyna did the lead out to the climb so Elise and me were in great position. Elise is in brilliant form so she could almost follow Demi’s attack near the top. I had to pace the climb but I made it back to the group on the top of the climb. Elise was super smart gaining sprint seconds so she is now fourth in GC. Unfortunately, in the last 20km today a big group came back to our group of eight riders so it was harder for Elise and me to control it and follow attacks. Tomorrow, we try to race again smartly, gain some seconds and put Elise on the podium.”

HOW TO WATCH

Stage 3 | 12 May | Donostia San Sebastian | 114.9km | Start 10:02 | Broadcast 12:00CEST.

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