Alpecin-Fenix rider Jasper Philipsen came out on top in the final sprint to win the second stage of the 2021 Vuelta a Espana on Sunday, with two-time defending champion Primoz Roglic keeping his overall lead.
Philipsen edged Fabio Jakobsen at the end of the 166-kilometer (103-mile) flat stage that finished in Burgos. Michael Matthews was third.
It was the Belgian’s second Grand Tour stage win after also winning in the Spanish Vuelta last year.
Roglic, the first-stage winner, safely managed the windy conditions on Sunday to retain the leader’s red jersey ahead of the first summit finish of the three-week race that will end in Santiago de Compostela. Alex Aranburu is second overall.
Roglic was able to avoid a crash at the peloton with about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) to go.
“You need to be on a survival mode in such stages where crashes can happen. You need a bit of luck,” Roglic said. “I know nothing of tomorrow‘s uphill finish. We’ll see tomorrow how much I like it.”
Riders will face a tough mountain pass in Monday’s 202.8-kilometer (126-mile) third stage.
2021 Vuelta a Espana: Stage 2 Brief Results
- Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 3:58:57
- Fabio Jakobsen (Ned) Deceuninck-QuickStep s.t.
- Michael Matthews (Aus) Team BikeExchange s.t.
- Juan Sebastian Molano Benavides (Col) UAE Team Emirates s.t.
- Alex Aranburu Deba (Spa) Astana-Premier Tech s.t.
General Classification after Stage 2
- Primoz Roglic (Slo) Jumbo-Visma 4:07:29
- Alex Aranburu Deba (Spa) Astana-Premier Tech at 4″
- Michael Matthews (Aus) Team BikeExchange at 10″
- Josef Cerny (Cze) Deceuninck-QuickStep s.t.
- Dylan van Baarle (Ned) Ineos Grenadiers at 11″
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