Arnaud Démare sprints to stage two victory in horrific conditions at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2021
Groupama-FDJ make it two wins out of two stages after Miles Scotson took the opening stage
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Arnaud Démare took stage two victory of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2021 in awful weather conditions to make it two wins from two stages for Groupama-FDJ after Miles Scotson took the opening day.
Démare had a perfect lead-out all the way to the line. Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) was in a perfect position sat on the French champion's wheel but he just did not have the kick to get around and ended up finishing in third place behind Timothy Dupont (Bingoal-Pauwels Sauces), who finished with good speed.
The weather played a huge part in the stage with riders wearing their rain jackets all the way to the line. The break used the conditions to their advantage with the multiple roundabouts in the closing kilometres but, in the end, the peloton pulled them back with three kilometres to go.
>>> Julian Alaphilippe extends contract with Deceuninck – Quick-Step
Scotson (Groupama-FDJ) holds onto his yellow jersey by a comfortable 32 seconds over John Degenkolb (Lotto-Soudal) after the Australian's solo effort on stage one.
But stage three is likely to see a big shakeup in the overall standings as the race goes climbing from Torrent to Alto de la Reina with a summit finish. The riders will be hoping the weather improves for it.
How it happened
The day started and finished in the city of Alicante and took on another relatively lumpy parcours that looked very similar to the opening stage. The 179km route did take in fewer climbs than the previous stage with a flatter run to the finish.
Five riders went away in the early break, pulling out a maximum gap of around three and a half minutes. The break was made up of Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH), Robin Carpenter (Rally), Ibon Ruiz (Caja Rural), Xabier Mikel Azparren (Euskaltel-Euskadi), and Brent van de Kerkhove (Tarteletto-Isorex).
The pace in the peloton was controlled by the French team Groupama-FDJ who were working for French champion, Démare. His team-mate, Scotson was riding on the front despite wearing the yellow jersey.
As the race entered the last 10km Groupama-FDJ were joined by Lotto-Soudal and Bongoal-Pauwels Sauces to bring the break back. The gap up to the break had dipped inside a minute shortly after they joined the chase.
Madrazo and Carpenter tried to stay away from the line but were brought back with 3km to go as the teams started to come together for the finish. Groupama-FDJ took full control into the final kilometre with Stefan Küng leading under the flamme rouge.
Démare had five riders in front of him going into the final kilometre with each doing one huge turn before dropping off their sprinter in the perfect position. Nobody could get around the team as they strung the peloton out.
Groupama-FDJ also take another day in the yellow jersey of the overall leader as Scotson finished safely in the peloton after working hard for Démare all day. He leads German sprinter, Degenkolb by 32 seconds and Alan Riou (Arkéa-Samsic) by 34 seconds going into the 'queen's stage' from Torrent to Alto de la Reina tomorrow.
Results
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2021, stage two: Alicante to Alicante (179km)
1. Arnaud Démare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ, in 4-09-23
2. Timothy Dupont (Bel) Bingoal-Pauwels Sauces-Wallonie Bruxelles
3. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Lotto-Soudal
4. Simone Consonni (Ita) Cofidis
5. Sebastan Mora (Esp) Movistar Team
6. Jacopo Guarnieri (Ita) Groupama-FDJ
7. Edwin Ávila (Col) Burgos-BH
8. Colin Joyce (USA) Rally Cycling
9. Felipe Orts (Esp) Burgos-BH
10. Gil d'Heygere (Bel) Tarteletto-Isorex, all at same time.
General classification after stage two
1. Miles Scotson (Aus) Groupama-FDJ, in 8-24-10
2. John Degenkolb (Ger) Lotto-Soudal, at 32 seconds
3. Alan Riou (Fra) Team Arkéa-Samsic, at 34s
4. Enric Mas (Esp) Movistar Team, at 35s
5. Nelson Oliveira (Por) Movistar Team, 36s
6. Victor Lafay (Fra) Cofidis, 37s
7. Simone Consonni (Ita) Cofidis, at 38s
8. Colin Joyce (USA) Rally Cycling
9. Matis Louvel (Fra) Team Arkéa-Samsic
10. Franck Bonnamour (Fra) B&B Hotels p/b KTM, all at same time.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Hi, I'm one of Cycling Weekly's content writers for the web team responsible for writing stories on racing, tech, updating evergreen pages as well as the weekly email newsletter. Proud Yorkshireman from the UK's answer to Flanders, Calderdale, go check out the cobbled climbs!
I started watching cycling back in 2010, before all the hype around London 2012 and Bradley Wiggins at the Tour de France. In fact, it was Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck's battle in the fog up the Tourmalet on stage 17 of the Tour de France.
It took me a few more years to get into the journalism side of things, but I had a good idea I wanted to get into cycling journalism by the end of year nine at school and started doing voluntary work soon after. This got me a chance to go to the London Six Days, Tour de Yorkshire and the Tour of Britain to name a few before eventually joining Eurosport's online team while I was at uni, where I studied journalism. Eurosport gave me the opportunity to work at the world championships in Harrogate back in the awful weather.
After various bar jobs, I managed to get my way into Cycling Weekly in late February of 2020 where I mostly write about racing and everything around that as it's what I specialise in but don't be surprised to see my name on other news stories.
When not writing stories for the site, I don't really switch off my cycling side as I watch every race that is televised as well as being a rider myself and a regular user of the game Pro Cycling Manager. Maybe too regular.
My bike is a well used Specialized Tarmac SL4 when out on my local roads back in West Yorkshire as well as in northern Hampshire with the hills and mountains being my preferred terrain.
-
-
'I'm studying maths – my brain needs something else besides cycling': Thomas Gloag on his hunger for learning on and off the bike
The 21-year-old Londoner and new Jumbo-Visma signing on rising to the challenge as he begins his WorldTour career
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Jess Roberts doubles up at British Track Championships as 19 year-old sprinter topples Olympian
Comeback queen wins her first solo national title in the scratch race
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
An ode to Thibaut Pinot, the man who taught us to feel
The 32-year-old will retire at the end of this season, calling time on a career of highs and lows
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
'When there are 10 guys coming into the finish, I want to be one of them' - Lewis Askey on WorldTour life
Young British Groupama-FDJ rider has signed new contract with team until 2025
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'A big weight off my shoulders' — Jake Stewart takes 'emotional' first win
British rider breaks through with stage one victory at the Tour de l'Ain
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'He's going to win some big bike races' - Tom Pidcock hails Sam Watson as he turns pro with Groupama-FDJ
U23 British National champion has impressed his French team and more besides
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'Just perfect' — Arnaud Démare on a roll at the Giro d'Italia with two wins in a row
French sprinter triumphs for second day running on stage six
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'An unforgettable day' — Thibaut Pinot back winning after 1,007 days
The Frenchman won stage five of the Tour of the Alps to end his drought
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'I could have turned that s***ty page' — Thibaut Pinot emotional after missing out on first win in three years
Frenchman beaten by Miguel Àngel Lòpez at Tour of the Alps after being caught in final kilometre
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Jake Stewart's 2022 season on hold after intestinal problems
British sprinter does not know when he will be back in action
By Adam Becket • Published