Nacer Bouhanni canters to second stage win at the Volta a Catalunya
Cofidis sprinter Nacer Bouhanni easily took stage two at the Volta a Catalunya ahead of Gianni Meersman and Philippe Gilbert
Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) won his second consecutive stage at the Volta a Catalunya, taking an easy win in Olot ahead of Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quick Step).
Racing was sedate on a day that started with a minute's silence in honour of those caught up in the Brussels terror attacks.
After 173km of very little action, the peloton finally sprung to life with five kilometres to go, with Team Sky beginning the work for Ben Swift in the finale.
Chris Froome sat second wheel in the Sky train to ensure he kept out of trouble in the final kilometres.
Cofidis hit the front under the flamme rouge and never relinquished that position. Lead-out man Geoffrey Soupe led Bouhanni out into the final 400m and a late surge from Meersman couldn't overcome the Frenchman.
Sky's lead-out in the end did not work for Swift, with the Brit finishing outside the top 10 on a stage ideally suited to him.
Volta a Catalunya stage two, Mataro - Olot (178.7km)
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
1. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, 4-39-10
2. Gianni Meersman (Bel) Etixx-Quick Step, st
3. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC, st
4. Aleksei Tcatevich (Rus) Katusha, st
5. Carlos Barbero (Esp) Caja Rural, st
6. Kiel Reijnen (USA) Trek-Segafredo, st
7. Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Wanty Groupe-Gobert, st
8. Jonas Vangenechten (Bel) IAM Cycling, st
9. Pawel Franczak (Pol) Verva Activejet, st
10. Kevin Reza (Fra) FDJ, st
Overall standings after stage two
1. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, 9-07-41
2. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky, at 14s
3. Thomas de Gendt (Bel) Lotto-Soudal, st
4. Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica-GreenEdge, at 16s
5. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC, st
6. Maxime Bouet (Bel) Etixx-Quick Step, st
7. Louis Vervaeke (Bel) Lotto-Soudal, at 17s
8. Javier Moreno (Esp) Movistar, at 18s
9. Ruben Fernandez (Esp) Movistar, at 19s
10. Aleksei Tcatevich (Rus) Katusha, at 20s
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
I'm not into cake stops - but - I made an exception to rate five British delicacies in one ride
Of all the cakes named after places in the north-west of England, which is the tastiest? Simon Warren sets out to sample them all in a single epic ride
By Simon Warren Published
-
The Rugby Flyer flies again: the story of the first sub-hour '25' time trial
How one record-breaking bike – and the memory of the man who rode it – live on
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Amateur cyclist in talks with four WorldTour teams after Strava KOM heroics
Jack Burke says there's a 30% chance he'll ride at cycling's top level in 2025
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Meet the latest British rider to join a WorldTour team
Oli Stockwell is one of 11 promising British talents who will turn pro in 2025
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Heart issue forces pro cyclist into early retirement
Wesley Kreder's doctor told him the wisest option was to end his career
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I woke up in hospital' - 32-year-old Cofidis rider recovering from heart attack
Wesley Kreder spent a week in hospital after suffering myocarditis
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Josh Tarling equals record for youngest winner of a UCI WorldTour race
Nineteen-year-old Ineos Grenadiers rider matches Remco Evenepoel's benchmark
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW Live: Olympic champion joins Women's WorldTour; Tom Pidcock tips Van Aert for Cyclo-cross Worlds; Arkéa-Samsic boss 'very interested' in Julian Alaphilippe; Deadline for 2024 Olympics tickets; LEJOG record holder back cycling after hit-and-run
A round-up of all the latest cycling news
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
UCI revises points system to give more weighting to Grand Tours and Monuments
Cycling's governing body publishes major changes to its points scale for the coming three-year cycle
By Tom Davidson Published
-
UCI finalises team licences for 2023, B&B Hôtels miss out
The French team drops off the ProTour from next season, while Fenix-Deceuninck claims the final Women's WorldTour spot
By Tom Davidson Published