Ronde de l’Oise Stage 2: A Day for the Breakaway

Lukas Spengler refuels at the team car during Stage 2. © BMC/Scott Nydam

It was another day for the breakaway on Ronde de l’Oise Stage 2 with Antonino Parrinello (D'Amico Bottecchia) winning the sprint for the line from inside the leading group of five riders.

It was a hectic start to the stage with attack after attack being reeled back in the peloton. It wasn’t until after 80 kilometers of racing that the breakaway was able to distance themselves from the main bunch.

Despite BMC Development Team working hard at the front of the peloton in the final kilometers of the stage, the breakaway were able to stay in front right to the finish line.

Quotes of the Day

Sport director Klaas Lodewyck said: “It was a really long stage today and the pace was super fast. The break was being kept under control, sitting with an advantage of around three minutes but then the peloton let the gap go to almost five minutes. At this point, we started to ride at the front and work hard to pull the gap down. We came close at the end, bringing it down to around 5 seconds, but we weren’t able to close the gap completely. I am happy with how the guys rode today and we are ready for the next two days.”

Bram Welten said: “I felt better today after 100k and I was trying to stay in the front all day. I hope I can do the same tomorrow to help get my condition on a higher level ahead of my national championships in two weeks.”

Race Profile

Ronde de l’Oise (UCI 2.2)

Stage 2: Villers-Saint-Pau - Lacroix-Saint-Ouen, 208.7km

Top 3: 1. Antonino Parrinello (D'Amico Bottecchia) 2. Dries de Bondt (Vérandas Willems) 3. Bjorn Tore Hoem (Team Joker)

BMC Development Team Top 3:

21. Bas Tietema

22. Bram Welten

27. Fabian Lienhard