San Sebastián- Even in Spain, the victory of Frenchman Victor Lafay was greeted loudly to the sound of horns in the streets of San Sebastián, in front of the superb La Concha beach.
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In a group of 24 survivors who rushed at full steam towards the line, the 27-year-old cyclist managed the kilometer without breaking down in the face of his dumbfounded opponents. Lafay didn’t steal it since you have to be a hell of a pilot to resist the pack rolling at breakneck speed after the red flame.
Less emotional but just as impressive, the Cofidis rider thus snatches the most beautiful of his career and puts an end to a 15-year drought for his team, which had not known victory in the Tour de France since Sylvain Chavanel in Montluçon. in 2008.
“When I made my effort, I didn’t even think about whether it was going to work. It’s a sick thing”, launched the winner of the day, sixth during the 1st stage.
AFP
Woods in confidence
The Belgian Wout van Aert, designated as the favorite by many, took 2nd place in the stage ahead of the ogre Tadej Pogacar, who leaves nothing to the others after winning the time bonus at the top of the Jaizkibel against Jonas Vingegaard , always in its wheel.
Well placed in the final, the Canadian Michael Woods did well with a 6th place. “I’m ready for the real mountains in a few days,” he said of the earlier than usual passage through the Pyrenees.
The Yates brothers did not repeat their exploits of the day before but the second round of the battle of champions turned to the advantage of the Slovenian, now second overall, only 11 seconds ahead of Vingegaard.
“We are in a perfect situation,” mentioned Pogacar, satisfied to see his teammate Adam Yates still in the yellow jersey. “If Tadej won the stage, he would have passed me,” replied Yates.
One less burden
Cofidis was initially counting on Bryan Coquard’s sprint and Guillaume Martin’s overall performance, but it was Lafay who lifted the crowd and his bosses after too long a wait for this bouquet. Relegated for a few years, Cofidis has been back in the World Tour since 2020.
“I’m happy to free ourselves from this burden,” added Lafay, who is taking part in his second Grande Boucle. Sixth in the Flèche wallonne this year, the Lyonnais had won a stage of the Tour of Italy in 2021.
In the descent to San Sebastian, the Basque Pello Bilbao spent a few kilometers alone in the lead but his attempt was aborted.
Neilson Powless, Edvald Boasson-Hagen and Rémi Cavagna vainly played the fugitives but the adventure nevertheless benefited the American Powless who keeps the polka dot jersey.
After two hectic days, the 3rd stage towards Bayonne on Monday should give the sprinter teams a chance to get their train started.
At 38, Mark Cavendish still dreams of breaking the record of 34 stage wins, which he shares with Eddy Merckx.
2nd stage | Vitoria-Gasteiz-San Sebastian | 208.9 km
- Victor Lafay, Cofids, 4h 46min 39s
- Wout van Aert, Jumbo-Visma, at 0 s
- Tadej Pogacar, UAE mt
- Tom Pidcock, Ineos Grenadiers mt
- Pello Bilbao, Bahrain Victorius mt
- Michael Woods, Israel-Premier Tech mt
General classification
- Adam Yates, UAE, 9:09:18
- Tadej Pogacar, UAE, at 6 s
- Simon Yates, Jayco Alula, at 6s
- Victor Lafay, Cofidis, at 12 s
- Wout van Aert, Jumbo-Visma, at 16 s
- Jonas Vingegaard, Jumbo-Visma, at 17 s
- Michael Woods, Israel-Premier Tech, at 22 sec.