May we call the second stage a real MTB Challenge one? Yes indeed, it was a legit MTBCH course just like we know it. Some riders shared their opinion with us before the start of the stage:
Dariusz Mirosław: I hope the luck is today on our side, and there won’t be any flats till the end anymore. Mentally and physically we are (with Andrzej Kaiser) up to the task. And I don’t see any reason to yield, the spirits are high and our aim to win the MTBCH is not going to change.
Isabel Caetano, Portugal, Mixed Category: Oh we just enjoy the process you know. The scenery is second to none. Yeah it is true we don’t have any rivals but we are motivated enough to keep up the pace high. So it’s not like, well there is none out there we have to fight, so take it easy. No no, we are fighting. It is a bless to race in such an awesome environment.
The first part of the stage was a smooth jeep-track mixed with fast gravel climbs and unchallenging decent. That calls for good teamwork, what’s more some echelons if one is about to gain lost ground.
Kanera from Czech GHOST-MITAS RACING TEAM didn’t hesitate and sought an early advantage in light of his mishap of yesterday. This 20 minute penalty is quite a stretch so it’s been obvious, he meant business. In doing so he succeeded and created a healthy cushion he maintained till the end. His winning time 03:02:02 was a neat work as the loss in a GC has been minimised. The second today, Spanish Joan Llordella (BUFF PRO TEAM) got 3:04:03 on the finish line.
Llordella fought hard mostly in the gnarly sections that were to be had abundantly in the second part of the parcour. But Kanera’s smooth style of riding down the hill prevented the Spanish rider to catch up. Behind in third position the Pole Bartosz Janowski surrendered as well right after he saw his chances fading away. His time of 03:06:35,03 leaves the odds high however to move up the in the ranks.
The battle in the Team ranking wasn’t a walking in the park either. EUROBIKE KACZMAREK ELECTRIC TEAM / VIMAR SPECIALIZED got stuck with couple of flats again, and lost considerable time. ROMET RACING TEAM made use of it and upped the ante even more. This proved to be successful as they took the days victory. GAS OP DIE LOLLIE – MTB ARNHEM from the Netherlands kept a very mindful even pace. Third place is a credit enough for their consistency.
Reactions after the stage:
Michal Kanera (winner of stage 2, SOLO MAN): Well, look I prefer to look ahead and if I do as well as I did today where I made up a chunk of a time, I’ve got to be happy. Today the name of the game was: all out from the get-go. Tomorrow might be bit different as I have to wait and see how I fare over the fort’s pivotal climb. If I get the legs I had today, I’ll deploy the same tactic. The Spaniards climb and descend very well, but I know my abilities and I will see that I pace myself wisely. I will try to wear them down. But, yeah the goal remains the same: victory. The penalty needs to be vanished. We got 4 days in the pipeline, the time is on my side.
Melanie Spath (winner of stage 2, SOLO WOMAN): I feel really comfortable, having my background (pro road and track racer) I am highly confident, and can’t wait for the upcoming stages. Also, due to my support (of my husband) it is just great. So yeah, bring it on.
Dariusz Poroś (winners of stage 2, TEAM MAN) : Honestly we got lucky today. Without the flat of our competitors (EUROBIKE KACZMAREK ELECTRIC TEAM / VIMAR SPECIALIZED has been ‘blessed’ with another series of punctures) we wouldn’t ride that comfortably. But then we saw our chances to make it today. So I shouted at my mate: “Bring it on” We pushed incredibly hard, I mean we did anyway but seeing the odds high to win the second stage and take over the GC is a massive motivator. We will stick to our game plane tomorrow as well. Relentless high pace, as if there were no tomorrow. Right it’s risky to blow up but I know the course inside out, every corner every turn, I know the key points where to keep attack and wear down the others. Our combative spirits won’t change despite weakening legs. We are a very even team and working in great harmony.
Full results are online.